Cameroon is facing a tense and volatile period as it awaits the results of a presidential election that has sparked widespread allegations of fraud. The situation escalated when a local office of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement was set on fire, leading to dozens of arrests. The election, pitting 92-year-old incumbent Paul Biya against a former ally, is considered the most competitive of his long rule. His challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has already claimed a “landslide victory,” a declaration swiftly rejected by the electoral commission and the government. Across social media and during street protests, citizens have highlighted irregularities, including a town where the number of votes exceeded the registered voters. With the official results potentially taking up to 15 days, the nation remains on high alert, deeply skeptical of a transparent outcome.
The New York Times
