“It’s Hard to Say the Election Is Behind Us”: Yvana Besseke Speaks Out on Post-Election Tensions

As Cameroon navigates a tense post-election period, Yvana Besseke, campaign director for opposition candidate Samuel Hiram Iyodi, has issued a strong statement criticising calls to quickly “turn the page” on the 2025 presidential election.

Speaking to Equinoxe TV, Besseke emphasised that the country is far from experiencing normalcy, despite official assurances of stability. She pointed to violent incidents, property destruction, and the ongoing emotional toll on citizens as evidence that the election’s aftermath remains unresolved.

“At the end of a presidential election, we should be happy, because it should feel like our choice was heard, and our destiny is in good hands,” Besseke said. “But when instead of joy, we have deaths, burnt businesses, clashes, and tension in the streets, it becomes very difficult to say the election is behind us.”

Cameroon’s post-election unrest has been particularly visible among the younger generation, which represents the majority of the country’s population. Besseke highlighted their frustration and sense of exclusion, saying:

“The generation I belong to, which is the majority in Cameroon, is speaking, crying, and expressing how it feels. We could at least be asked, ‘What do you really want?’ Let’s talk, let’s be heard.”

Since the announcement of the official election results, which declared President Paul Biya the winner, reports of protests, arrests, and violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces have persisted in multiple regions. Opposition groups argue that irregularities in the voting process have undermined confidence in the outcome.

President Biya and government officials have called for calm and unity, urging Cameroonians to accept the results and focus on national development. However, Besseke’s remarks underscore the widening gap between official statements and public perception, suggesting that reconciliation may require more than mere calls for peace.

Analysts note that this tension reflects a larger generational and societal divide: younger Cameroonians are increasingly vocal in demanding transparency, accountability, and meaningful participation in national decision-making.

Besseke’s intervention adds to a growing chorus of voices challenging the narrative that the election is over and urging dialogue to prevent further unrest. Many observers believe that how the government responds to these grievances in the coming weeks could determine whether Cameroon moves toward true stability or deeper polarisation.

MMI News