• Issa Tchiroma declares victory against long-term President Paul Biya.
• Claims have sparked protests and clashes in Douala, leading to heavy police presence.
• Official election results will not be announced until at least October 26.

Cameroon's opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary has claimed victory in the October 12 presidential election, urging incumbent President Paul Biya to respect the "truth of the ballot box." Tchiroma emphasized, "Our victory is clear. It must be respected," in a video posted to Facebook from his hometown of Garoua, asserting the necessity for Biya to concede or risk "plunging the country into turmoil," according to Le Monde and TRT Global.

Following Tchiroma's victory claim, police engaged with protesters in Douala as tensions rose, reflecting widespread unrest. Demonstrators gathered amidst a heavy security presence, resulting in clashes and the use of tear gas by authorities. Official results, which are expected no later than October 26 from the Constitutional Council, have yet to be released, as Tchiroma vowed to publish detailed tally sheets of the votes by region, according to Africa News and Africa News.

In response, Biya's ruling party has dismissed Tchiroma's claims as a "grotesque hoax," with officials emphasizing the importance of waiting for the official declaration by the Constitutional Council, which has the authority to announce results. Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, accused Tchiroma of trying to disrupt the electoral process and warned that any unauthorized result announcements would be considered "high treason," according to Le Monde and Africa News.

As the election unfolds, analysts had previously predicted Biya's dominance, given his lengthy tenure and control over state apparatus amidst a fragmented opposition landscape. Tchiroma, a former government spokesperson, officially resigned from Biya’s cabinet to lead his campaign, which has seen unexpected public support. However, the political climate remains volatile as the nation grapples with historical tensions and the ramifications of electoral claims, according to TRT Global and Africa News.