Deadly Protests Following Cameroonian Election Results
By Sarah Ambrose | 10 November 2025
Summary
Violent protests erupted across Cameroon following the announcement of President Paul Biya’s re-election.
Biya is 92-year-old and has been President since 1982, leading to concerns over his health, ability to lead, and ongoing failure to address domestic concerns.
Despite a violent police crackdown, it is unlikely that protests will cease in the coming weeks, leading to increased security concerns across Cameroon.
Context
At least 4 people have been killed in protests that erupted on 27 October 2025, following the reelection of Cameroonian President Paul Biya. At 92 years old, Biya secured his 8th term, having served as President since 1982. The election was widely believed to have been rigged as exit polls indicated a majority of support for his opposition, Tchiroma Bakary. Bakary rejected the results of the election, leading to his supporters taking to the streets in protest. In the subsequent days, over 100 people were arrested and 4 shot in violent clashes between civilian protestors and police forces.
Biya has faced strong criticism for his corruption and crackdown on opposition, resembling authoritarian control. The Constitutional Council, responsible for announcing election results, is entirely composed of Biya appointees, further fueling accusations of a fraudulent election. The ongoing protests and political instability add to the security concerns Cameroon faces, including linguistic-based divisions in the West and attacks from the jihadist militant group Boko Haram in the North.
Implications
The protests pose a risk to an already weakened government structure, struggling with democratic progression. While previous elections also generated protests, frustration with Biya has grown as Cameroon has failed to reach expected economic development targets, such as stagnant GDP growth. Additionally, there are questions about Biya’s health and ability to lead, given his advanced age. He spends several months each year in Switzerland, rarely making public appearances and further calling into doubt his health. Biya’s long rule and failure to designate a political successor in his party demonstrate a likely crisis of succession upon his death.
The deep-rooted corruption of Biya’s administration hinders economic development; a continuation of his rule will likely see a continuation of these challenges. The economy is largely dependent on natural resources, including exports of oil, cocoa, coffee, and cotton. Between 2021 and 2024, Cameroon’s average GDP growth was 3.4%, falling below the National Development Strategy’s target of 6.6%. Poverty reduction has stagnated over the past 20 years, with 23% of the population living below the extreme poverty line. With no outlined plan for reforms, Biya’s 8th term is unlikely to produce significant economic progress.
The outcry over Biya’s reelection marks a continuation of separatist protests that have been ongoing since 2016. Since its creation as an independent state from former French and British colonies in 1960, Cameroon has faced conflict between its French- and English-speaking regions. Anglophone lawyers and teachers, feeling marginalised by Biya’s Francophone government, began protesting in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon in 2016. This led to Anglophone separatists claiming independence in 2017 and a violent clash between government forces and separatist militants that has ensued since. The Northwest and Southwest regions largely abstained from voting in the 2025 presidential election, and Biya’s claimed victory has further fueled protests.
Ariel Nathan/Unsplash
Forecast
Short-term (Now - 3 months)
It is unlikely that protests will subside in the short-term, as the government’s violent crackdown fuels anger over the election results and protestors’ resolve has not dwindled thus far.
Medium-term (3-12 months)
It is likely that Boko Haram will increase its attacks during the next year, as government forces will be focused on quelling political protests, leaving gaps in counterterrorism efforts in the North.
Long-term (>1 year)
There is a realistic possibility that a coup or revolution will attempt to remove Biya from power. Trust in the administration is already fragmented, and if protests continue to escalate, Biya’s control over the government and armed forces may dwindle.
