Cameroonians across most parts of the country woke up on Thursday to sharply limited internet access, as political tensions rose over a delayed announcement of results from the October 12 presidential election. The official proclamation, initially expected today, has been postponed to Monday, 27 October, according to the Constitutional Council.
Users in Yaoundé, Douala, Buea, Garoua, Maroua and Bamenda reported difficulty connecting to major websites and messaging platforms. VPN services, often used to bypass censorship, have also become unstable, suggesting possible throttling or targeted restrictions rather than a complete nationwide shutdown.
Mounting Uncertainty Over Election Results
The vote, seen as one of Cameroon’s most competitive in decades, pits long-serving President Paul Biya, now 92, against opposition challenger Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who has claimed early victory. Tchiroma’s camp has accused the authorities of attempting to manipulate results, calling for “peaceful mobilisation” if “falsified figures” are announced.
Observers say tensions have been simmering since the Constitutional Council dismissed several opposition petitions alleging irregularities in voter rolls and ballot counting. Civil society groups have warned that restricting communications at this stage could further erode public confidence in the process.
Government Silence, Public Frustration
As of Thursday afternoon, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications had not issued any statement explaining the connectivity issues. Neither state telecom operator Camtel nor mobile providers MTN and Orange acknowledged network problems, even as citizens struggled to access online platforms.
Independent monitoring organisations, including Access Now’s #KeepItOn coalition, had earlier warned of potential disruptions during the election period. Data from Cloudflare Radar and NetBlocks indicates a sharp drop in connectivity starting late Wednesday, particularly in the Southwest and Littoral regions, though full national data remains under review.
Echoes of 2017: When Silence Sparked Conflict
The current digital blackout recalls January 2017, when the government cut internet access across Cameroon’s Anglophone regions amid protests over linguistic and legal discrimination. That shutdown lasted 94 days and marked the start of what later evolved into the country’s ongoing Anglophone crisis — an armed conflict that has displaced hundreds of thousands.
Analysts warn that the new restrictions risk repeating the same mistake: silencing dissent in the short term while deepening resentment and mistrust. “Each time the government reaches for the internet switch, it signals fear rather than stability,” said a Yaoundé-based political analyst who asked not to be named. “In 2017, the blackout turned a protest into a rebellion. Today, it could turn an election dispute into a legitimacy crisis.”
International and Domestic Reactions
The African Union and regional observers have yet to comment on the disruption, but digital rights advocates have called for immediate restoration of access. Business associations also voiced concern, noting that even short-term outages could disrupt banking, e-commerce, and education services.
Opposition figures have urged calm but maintain that the timing of the connectivity problems—coinciding with the postponement of results is “too convenient to be coincidental.” Meanwhile, government supporters argue the delay aims to “ensure accuracy and transparency” in tabulating votes.
Looking Ahead
With results now scheduled for Monday, tension is expected to remain high over the weekend. Security forces have reportedly increased patrols in major cities, while civil society groups are urging restraint and transparency.
Whether the government restores full connectivity — or doubles down on information control — may shape not just the credibility of the 2025 election but also the country’s broader stability in the weeks ahead.
