- The 92-year-old world’s oldest President, who has been in power for 43 years, clinched an 8th term that would see his stay at helm of State extended to 50 years
- ‘Mami Water’ ghost towns, bloodsheds, arsons in many towns & cities greeted Biya’s victory
By Nchendzengang Tatah
Violent protests have greeted the announcement of the 2025 Presidential Election in some cities across the national territory. Several people have lost their lives in the clashes that is still on counting. Two civilians were reportedly killed in Garoua while the Douala II Council building was among several infrastructures nationwide vandalised by Monday’s protests.
The pronouncement of the official results followed an earlier demonstration on October 26 initiated by Issa Tchiroma, the official runner-up in the polls who had claimed victory. At least four people were gunned down in the economic capital of Douala as images surfaced on social media of protesters facing security forces. Earlier, two people were said to have been killed in Garoua, the town of Tchiroma, bringing the death toll in that town to at least four since election day.
Biya wins eighth term
Paul Biya, 92, following his victory earned an eighth term. The elections have been widely considered by observers and the opposition to be marred by irregularities prompting widespread dissent. Biya was announced to have secured a comfortable victory with 53.66% of the vote. He first became president of Cameroon in 1982 and has since then had a 43-year uninterrupted rule.
His former ally, now the main challenger, Issa Tchiroma of the FSNC, is, according to official tallies, at a distant 35.19%. Cabral Libii Ngue of the PCRN came third with 3.41%, Bello Bouba Maigari, another former regime baron, picked 2.45% and UDC’s Tomaino Hermine Ndam Njoya, the lone female candidate, was fifth at 1.66%. Joshua Osih Nambangi of the SDF – the leading Anglophone in the race, will come at a distant 6th position with 1.21%, one of the worst performances of the party since its creation in 1990.
Opposition cries foul
Monday’s results have not been taken easily by opposition politicians who cite a litany of irregularities to have marred the process. Many have expressed distrust of the post-voting process, which lasted over two weeks.
Ngepah Emile, the Regional Coordinator for candidate Ateki Seta Caxton’s PAL, which unofficially entered a coalition with the second runner-up, Bello, expressed dismay at the proclaimed results. “I speak with a heavy heart following the announcement of Mr Paul Biya as the winner of the October 12, Presidential Elections in Cameroon,” he said. Ngepah believed the ballot box results had been mutilated and Tchiroma’s victory stolen. “Surprising that we have seen something different from what we chose,” he stated further regretting the outcome of the poll, blaming the election regulation body for partiality.
CPDM jubilates
The ruling CPDM victory to Hon. Malomba Esembe of Buea Urban constituency was well merited. He said, the win was one after a long fight. However, he pointed out the next move to be that of healing the nation after the electoral process, which had ignited sentiments of division and frustration. Biya, he believed, was the man for the job, who, would bring all on board to develop the country. Hon Malomba was optimistic that the economic woes plaguing the nation were going to be addressed for welfare, peace and unity to be strengthened.
Uneasy calm prevails The capital city, Yaounde, like many other cities in Cameroon, rose to almost deserted streets on October 27. In the South West, where Osih hails, the situation wasn’t much different. It was only a little calmer than usual, considering that Mondays have for close to a decade been instituted as lockdown day in the North West and South West Regions by separatists.
South West authorities hinted that October 27 was a normal working day. However, most offices in the Regional headquarters, Buea, remained locked and movement was very timid. Moreover, a handful of people could be spotted at various drinking spots amidst a military presence in strategic areas of the town. Internet connectivity remained unstable as many relied on the national broadcaster for the live updates from the Yaounde Conference Centre.
Many towns and cities across Cameroon remained half-functional throughout the day and the days ahead are still pregnant with lots of uncertainties.
