Paul Biya’s 8th-term victory sparks unrest — but viral protest video misleads viewers

Cameroon’s long-time ruler Paul Biya, 92, has secured an eighth presidential term following the October 12, 2025 election, according to official results announced on October 27.

The declaration has ignited widespread protests across major cities as opposition groups allege massive electoral fraud, with international outlets including Reuters, AP, and BBC confirming reports of civil unrest and heavy police presence in Yaoundé and Douala.

However, a viral X post purportedly showing “massive protests in Cameroon” has come under scrutiny after fact-checkers and social media users identified the video as footage from Kenya’s June 2025 demonstrations.

The clip, which shows crowds waving green banners and marching past Maersk shipping containers, was initially shared as evidence of anti-Biya protests but later traced back to Nairobi’s anti-government tax rallies earlier this year.

Despite the misleading video, credible footage from Cameroon depicts real protests and clashes near government buildings and university campuses, where demonstrators have called for Biya’s resignation and accused electoral officials of manipulation.

Opposition leaders say ballot irregularities, voter intimidation, and restricted monitoring marred the process—charges the government has dismissed as “baseless.”

Reactions under the viral thread reflect deep regional frustration with Africa’s aging leadership class. Many commenters drew parallels between Biya’s 42-year rule and the political stagnation seen in Uganda under Yoweri Museveni and Equatorial Guinea under Teodoro Obiang Nguema, where elections routinely reaffirm decades-long incumbencies. “It’s the same movie on repeat,” one user wrote. “Different country, same story.”

As international observers urge calm and the African Union faces mounting pressure to intervene, Cameroonians continue to voice discontent both on the streets and online. Whether these protests can evolve into genuine political reform remains uncertain, but the controversy has once again spotlighted how digital misinformation can distort African political narratives, even when rooted in real grievances.

Watch the video below