By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Fear and an almost total silence gripped the capital city of Yaounde after incumbent President Paul Biya of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) party was officially declared the winner of the 2025 Presidential Election.
The Constitutional Council’s announcement on October 27 came amid heightened national tension following the Oct. 12 vote, with opposition leaders having previously claimed victory and called for protests, citing alleged widespread irregularities.
Major streets in Yaounde, were noticeably empty, save for a scattering of taxis and motorcycle riders circulating. The quiet was profound, with no music being played and conversations among those on the move reportedly hushed and guarded.
While the city’s thoroughfares saw minimal or no activity, a different atmosphere prevailed around the CPDM Headquarters. The party’s base was marked by celebrations of the declared victory, though the festivities were contained by a heavy police presence throughout the immediate vicinity.
The broader security posture was even more visible across key city districts. The environment was tense in areas from Mokolo Market through Carriere to Tsinga and Bisquitere, where heavy military equipment and personnel were stationed at nearly every major junction. The deployment appeared aimed at deterring and combating any civil unrest or demonstrations from opposition supporters.
Despite the formidable security cordon, small groups of residents were seen standing together, engaging in earnest discussions strictly among themselves. In residential quarters, a few choice spots had been quickly transformed into makeshift beer parlors, where the results and ramifications of the presidential election served as the exclusive topic of conversation.
Biya, 92, has ruled the Central African nation since 1982, making him one of the world’s longest-serving heads of state. His latest victory grants him an eighth term, extending a tenure that has been repeatedly criticized by opposition politicians and international observers for systemic electoral fraud.
