Yaoundé:One year after Cameroon's contentious presidential election, the nation continues to struggle with issues of political accountability, electoral trust, civil liberties, and economic challenges facing its citizens.
According to Cameroon News Agency, the disputed October 12, 2025 election saw 92-year-old incumbent President Paul Biya running against 11 other candidates, including former government minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who garnered support for political change. On October 27, the Constitutional Council declared Biya the winner with 53.66% of the vote, while Tchiroma received 35.19%, leading to protests, arrests, and a deadly security crackdown. Human Rights Watch reported at least 48 deaths, citing United Nations sources, although opposition sources claimed higher fatalities.
A year later, justice remains a pressing issue. On October 8, 2026, a military court in Yaoundé convicted 66 individuals in relation to the post-election protests, with sentences ranging from suspended terms to 15 months in prison. Their lawyers plan to appeal the decisions, while others arrested await their case outcomes. These legal proceedings have kept the election aftermath in public focus, highlighting concerns over pretrial detention, justice access, and the handling of dissent. The government has faced criticism from human rights organizations for its response to the protests.
Electoral politics in Cameroon are still evolving. The 2025 election confirmed Biya's eighth term, continuing a presidency that began in 1982, but also exposed divisions over the electoral process's credibility and the reflection of opposition demands in political institutions. Legislative and municipal elections have been delayed, with Biya extending municipal mandates to February 28, 2027, and the parliamentary mandate to December 20, 2026. Elections Cameroon announced preparations for these elections are underway.
Economically, the anniversary of the election serves as a moment to evaluate whether political developments have improved daily life. The International Monetary Fund reported in October 2026 that Cameroon's economy grew by 3.5% in 2025, but the outlook for 2026 has weakened due to declining hydrocarbon production and delays in electricity transmission expansion. Renewed food-price pressures and calls for better governance of public spending and state-owned enterprises were also noted. The World Bank reported that about four in ten Cameroonians live below the national poverty line, with infrastructure gaps, limited job creation, and insecurity complicating efforts to enhance living standards.
The question of change remains open for Tchiroma's supporters and voters seeking political shifts. The anniversary highlights issues of electoral participation, accountability, and challenging official decisions. For the government, the coming months will test its ability to maintain stability, address economic concerns, and boost public confidence in state institutions. One year later, Biya remains in power, election-related court cases continue, and upcoming legislative and municipal elections loom, determining whether the past year marks progress or ongoing challenges.