Cameroon’s opposition coalition, Union for Change 2025, has claimed victory in the country’s October 12 presidential election — days before the official announcement by the Constitutional Council.
In a statement signed by leaders Anicet Ekane and Djeukam Tchameni, the coalition said preliminary figures showed its candidate, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, winning between 60% and 80% of votes nationwide. “The Cameroonian people have decided,” they declared, urging outgoing President Paul Biya to “extend his congratulations” to Bakary.
The group accused Biya’s ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) of deploying its “traditional machinery of fraud” but insisted the vote marked a “crushing defeat” for the long-time leader.
Security tensions surrounded the poll, especially in the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions where separatists had threatened disruptions. Despite minor incidents near the Nigerian border, observers said voting was largely peaceful.
Bakary, a former minister under Biya, was chosen by over 50 parties and civil groups as a consensus candidate to drive political transition and national renewal. Official results are expected within 15 days amid rising political tension.
