Cameroon suspends opposition party for three months

Cameroon authorities have suspended the Cameroon National Salvation Front opposition party for three months, Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji announced on Tuesday.

The party is linked to opposition figure Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former minister who is in exile in Gambia. Atanga Nji said in a statement that the party was suspended for “incitement to insurrection” and “serious disturbance of public order” before, during and after the presidential election of October 12, 2025.

The statement warned that the party could face a legal challenge if it did not accept the sanction.

Bakary rallied young people seeking change during the presidential election, which was won by 93-year-old Paul Biya, who has been in power since 1982. After declaring himself the winner, Bakary repeatedly called on supporters to defend what he called his “victory.”

Those calls triggered protests in major cities that were suppressed and resulted in deaths. The government has not provided a toll.

The Cameroon National Salvation Front has two members of parliament. Its suspension comes ahead of local and parliamentary elections scheduled for early 2027 after multiple postponements.