Cameroon’s Post-Election Crossroads: Between Legitimacy and the People’s Voice
By Chick Titus | CBB News
Greetings from CBB News, where we examine Africa’s shifting political landscape. Today, our attention turns to Cameroon, a nation once hailed as a pillar of Central African stability but now teetering on the edge of political uncertainty after the presidential election of October 12, 2025.
The country stands divided between two powerful narratives: one proclaiming a “people’s victory” and another defending institutional legitimacy. The atmosphere is charged with tension, emotions are raw, and the stakes could shape not just Cameroon’s destiny, but that of the entire region.
In the immediate aftermath of the polls, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, leader of the Front pour le Salut National du Cameroun (FSNC), declared himself the winner, citing results collected from polling stations across the country and abroad. His supporters celebrated the announcement, insisting that the data confirmed his triumph.
However, Bakary’s refusal to file a formal appeal to the Constitutional Council raised eyebrows. When asked why, his ally Emmanuel Sim responded on Radio Balafon with a rhetorical question “To do what?” implying deep mistrust in the Council’s neutrality.
This skepticism is not new. The Constitutional Council, though legally mandated to validate electoral results, has long faced accusations of bias, especially from opposition parties like the MRC, who see it as an extension of the ruling establishment. Bakary’s camp argues that true legitimacy does not flow from legal institutions but from the collective will of the people a moral, populist claim that “the street, not the statute, defines sovereignty.”
On the other side, government officials and state institutions have maintained a strict interpretation of the law. They assert that only Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) and the Constitutional Council possess the constitutional mandate to declare election results.
This position, while legally sound, reflects a deeper philosophy that order must precede interpretation. Yet many citizens and opposition figures argue that institutions are only as credible as the trust they command, and that trust in Cameroon’s governance structures has eroded with time.
What is unfolding is not just a legal crisis, but a psychological one a clash between the form of democracy and its substance. As one local proverb says, “When the drumbeat changes, the dancer must adjust his steps.” Cameroon’s rhythm has indeed shifted: a young, digitally connected population now demands transparency and accountability in real time.
By October 15, ten formal appeals had been lodged before the Constitutional Council by parties including the PCRN, SDF, and UDC, all challenging aspects of the vote and calling for partial annulments.
The National Commission for Final Counting has been established, comprising members of the judiciary, administration, and party representatives. Procedurally, democracy seems to be advancing — yet, substantively, many fear it is stagnating. The law is functioning, but faith in the law is fading.
Civil society organizations and international observers have urged restraint, warning that even the perception of electoral manipulation could unravel decades of fragile stability. “Preventive diplomacy,” they caution, “is far less costly than crisis management later.”
Cameroon’s political temperature has risen dramatically. Protests have erupted in Douala, Yaoundé, and other cities. In Dchang, an office of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) was set ablaze, an act condemned by the party’s Secretary-General, Jean Nkuété, who vowed legal action.
Authorities responded swiftly, deploying security forces and using tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. The images, however, were symbolic — a population expressing not just anger, but exhaustion.
President Paul Biya, now 92 years old, remains at the center of it all. Having ruled since 1982, Biya is Africa’s oldest sitting head of state. His reign has been marked by both resilience and rigidity. Cameroon has survived insurgencies, secessionist movements, and corruption scandals — yet avoided the outright civil wars that consumed its neighbors.
That stability, however, has often come at the expense of political renewal. The 2008 constitutional amendment removing term limits triggered deadly protests, and the 2018 election was marred by allegations of fraud. Now, in 2025, the question is no longer just who wins, but whether the system itself still commands legitimacy.
Issa Tchiroma Bakary’s political evolution is fascinating. Once a close ally and minister under Biya, he now presents himself as a bridge figure — neither radical nor establishment, but a candidate of transition.
By refusing to appeal to the Constitutional Council, Bakary has positioned himself as the voice of a new era, framing the Council as part of the old order he seeks to replace. For his supporters, it’s a sign of moral courage; for his critics, a dangerous disregard for due process.
The balance between protest and procedure now defines Bakary’s credibility.
Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji issued two stern communiqués condemning Bakary’s self-declaration as “illegal and irresponsible.” Quoting Article 137 of the electoral code, he reminded the public that only ELECAM and the Constitutional Council are empowered to proclaim official results.
While this is a sound legal argument, in the court of public opinion, the issue has evolved beyond legality — it is about trust.
“When the dust rises, you can no longer see the lion’s footprints,” goes another proverb — meaning, in times of confusion, truth becomes obscured. And in this digital age, where every smartphone doubles as a newsroom, confusion spreads faster than facts.
Cameroon’s electoral turmoil is not confined within its borders. Analysts warn that instability could ripple through the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), disrupting trade, security cooperation, and infrastructure.
The Chad–Cameroon pipeline, a vital artery for regional oil exports, could face operational risks if unrest persists. Cameroon’s ports in Douala and Kribi, essential gateways for Chad, the Central African Republic, and Congo, could also be affected.
As one regional expert put it, “Cameroon’s peace is Central Africa’s spine.”
Cameroon’s current tension did not appear overnight. Its roots lie in unaddressed grievances, delayed reforms, and the concentration of power.
1. Validation of the incumbent’s victory — ensuring continuity but possibly fueling more protests.
2. Partial annulment or rerun — a middle ground, but one that depends on political will.
3. Recognition of Bakary’s claim — highly unlikely, but if it happened, it would demand a negotiated transition to prevent paralysis.
The worst scenario would be indecision, where results remain contested and uncertainty becomes the new norm.
At 92, Paul Biya has become both a symbol of Cameroon’s endurance and its stagnation. His continued rule represents stability to some, but decay to others. Even if Bakary’s bid fails, it has reopened the long-suppressed conversation about succession and political renewal.
As one proverb teaches: “If you wish to go far, care for your horse.” Endurance, in politics as in life, demands moderation — not paralysis.
Cameroon’s next chapter will depend on three things:
A new electorate that is informed, vocal, and connected.
Institutions that must prove independence through action, not words.
Leadership willing to embrace generational change.
Handled wisely, this election could mark the beginning of democratic renewal. Mishandled, it could fracture the fragile peace Cameroon has maintained for decades.
In the words of an African saying, “When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.” In Cameroon’s political struggle, ordinary citizens risk paying the price.
As the Constitutional Council prepares to announce results, one truth remains clear: legitimacy is not a certificate — it is a relationship between rulers and the ruled. The coming days will reveal whether Cameroon can bend without breaking, adapt without losing itself, and turn crisis into opportunity.
For now, the world watches as a proud nation navigates a moment of truth — not just about who governs, but about how the governed choose to be led.
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