Cameroon Faces Protests, Internet Blackout After Disputed Election

Cameroon is experiencing widespread protests and an internet blackout following the disputed October 12 presidential election, where 92-year-old President Paul Biya seeks an eighth term to extend his 43-year rule. Opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary claims victory, alleging electoral fraud and irregularities, which has led to demonstrations in major cities such as Yaoundé, Douala, and Garoua, met with tear gas and arrests by security forces. The Constitutional Council dismissed all petitions challenging the election results, prompting fears of escalating violence and a deepening political crisis. Tchiroma has called for peaceful protests against what he describes as falsified results, while Biya’s ruling party denies the allegations and awaits the official results. The blackout and government actions suggest an attempt to limit information flow amid growing unrest. Observers warn that the political tensions reflect broader issues of governance, security, and regional instability that may worsen depending on the election outcome and subsequent power struggles.