Two Cameroonian opposition figures, supporters of opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who claimed victory in the October 12 presidential election against outgoing President Paul Biya, were arrested on Friday, according to their parties.

These arrests come before the publication of the official results of the election by the Constitutional Council on Monday.

Most analysts expect Paul Biya, 92, to win an eighth term in a system his critics accuse of being locked down during his 43 years in power.

Djeukam Tchameni, president of the Movement for Democracy and Interdependence in Cameroon (MDI), and Anicet Ekane, president of the African Movement for the New Independence of Cameroon (Manidem), were arrested at their homes in Douala on Friday, according to the Union for Change 2025, a coalition of parties that had nominated Issa Tchiroma Bakary as the consensus opposition candidate for the October presidential election.

In a statement, the coalition said the opponents were arrested by "hooded and armed" men identified as belonging to the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR), an elite army unit, and transported "to an unknown destination."

In another statement, the MDI accused the current regime of "gross manipulation" and political intimidation, notably through the circulation of "false information (...) suggesting that weapons or false election reports had been found at Mr. Tchameni's home."

Manidem "denounced the abusive arrests, the clear aim of which is to intimidate [Cameroonians] who are waiting for the verdict of the ballot boxes to be respected."

Issa Tchiroma, who claims to have won 54.8% of the vote, compared to 31.3% for outgoing President Paul Biya, called on his supporters to continue the street protests that began last week with peaceful marches across the country on Sunday.

Since Wednesday, the Cameroonian government has banned public gatherings and the use of motorcycle taxis in several cities, including the capital Yaoundé.

There have also been significant disruptions to internet access in recent days, which, according to Netblocks, a cybersecurity monitoring organization, "could limit coverage of events on the ground amid calls to overturn the presidential election results."