US Calls for Free, Fair Election in Cameroon as Biya Convenes Electorate

By Tata Mbunwe

The United States has called on the Cameroon government, political actors, and citizens to ensure that the upcoming presidential elections in the country are free, fair, non-violent and respect democratic values.

In a statement released Saturday, July 12, the US Embassy in Yaounde saluted President Paul Biya’s announcement of October 12, 2025, as the date for the presidential polls.

The Embassy said free, fair, peaceful, and inclusive elections are “a cornerstone of democratic governance and stability in Cameroon and Central Africa.”

“As a longstanding partner and friend of Cameroon, the United States underscores the importance of free, fair, peaceful, and inclusive elections…,” the statement read.

“We commend the efforts of Cameroonian institutions, civil society, political parties, and all stakeholders working to prepare for these elections.”

The US urged all concerned parties “to engage in the electoral process in a manner that promotes peace, respects the rule of law, and upholds democratic norms and the rights of all citizens to participate freely and to vote their consciences without fear of repercussions.”

The statement comes hours after President Biya, 92, signed a decree convening the electorate, setting in motion an electoral contest where close to 30 people have declared intentions to run.

Under Cameroon’s electoral code, political aspirants now have 10 days to submit their candidacies to Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), the body responsible for organizing elections.

While dozens of aspirants have declared intentions to run, including opposition leader Maurice Kamto and SDF’s Joshua Osih, Biya is yet to announce his plans.

Militants of his party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), say he is their “natural candidate” but dissenting voices within the group think Biya is ineligible to represent the party at elections because his mandate as chairman has exported.

The CPDM also continues to dominate the political space and currently controls a significant majority of municipal councils and parliamentary seats, giving it leverage over other parties.

As the election approaches, concerns persist about the shrinking civic space and alleged government schemes to divide the opposition.

In recent years, civil society activists, journalists, and opposition politicians have decried what they describe as systematic clampdowns on freedom of expression and assembly.

Public demonstrations are often banned or violently dispersed, and opposition rallies are tightly monitored by security forces.

“It is critical that the Cameroonian people have full confidence in their democratic institutions—not only on election day, but throughout the entire electoral period,” the US Embassy wrote.

“This includes protecting the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, and association as guaranteed in the Cameroonian constitution, electoral code, and other relevant statutes. Journalists, political parties, civil society organizations, and religious institutions must be allowed to operate without harassment or undue restrictions.”

The Embassy’s statement reflects concerns raised by local and international rights groups over the credibility of past elections in Cameroon.

In the 2018 presidential vote, Biya secured another seven-year term despite allegations of electoral fraud and voter intimidation, claims that the government denied. Biya won 71 percent of the vote.