Unrest Erupts in Douala as Opposition Claims Victory in Cameroon Election

Supporters of opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary clash with police amid delayed official results

Clashes broke out in Douala, the economic hub of Cameroon, after opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary declared himself the winner of the October 12 presidential election. Protesters took to the streets, prompting a swift response from security forces.

Security Forces Respond

A heavy security presence was reported in several parts of the city following the unrest. Spent tear gas canisters littered the ground as police moved to disperse demonstrators. Authorities are yet to make a statement regarding the clashes.

Election Results Still Pending

The independent election oversight body and the constitutional court have not yet released the official results. According to the electoral calendar, the official outcome is expected by October 26 at the latest. Tchiroma made his self-declaration of victory through a video statement on Facebook, insisting, “Our victory is clear, it must be respected.” He also promised to release a detailed regional vote tally in the coming days.

Challenging the Status Quo

Many analysts had predicted a win for long-time president Paul Biya, who, at 92 years old, is the world’s oldest sitting president. Opposition parties have struggled to unite behind a single candidate, and Biya’s strongest rival was disqualified from running in August.

A Veteran Politician Turns Challenger

Tchiroma, now in his late seventies, previously served as a government spokesperson and minister of employment under Biya. He resigned from the administration last year to pursue his presidential ambitions. His campaign attracted massive crowds and received backing from a coalition of opposition parties and civic groups.

Decades of Dominance

Biya has been in power since 1982, making him only the second president since Cameroon’s independence from France in 1960. His leadership has been marked by persistent challenges, including a deadly separatist movement in the western region and deep-rooted corruption that has hampered the nation’s development despite abundant natural resources.

Echoes of 2018 Election

This is not the first time an opposition candidate has claimed victory before official results were released. In the 2018 presidential election, opposition leader Maurice Kamto made a similar declaration, which led to widespread protests and his subsequent arrest, along with the detention of many of his supporters.

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