Cameroonians call for political renewal before 2027 vote
The gist
Cameroon President Paul Biya called legislative and municipal elections for February 7, 2027, after two postponements.
Voters say they want a younger political class and accountability from those elected.
How it unfolded
- Feb 2020In the last legislative elections, the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) won 152 of the 180 National Assembly seats.
- 2024Media debate about the president's health was banned after rumours circulated about his death.
- Oct 2025Biya's re-election set off widespread protests that authorities met with a violent crackdown; lawyers cited by Human Rights Watch said security forces detained up to 2,000 people, some still in custody.
Key terms
- legislative and municipal elections
- Elections in which voters choose members of the legislature and of local municipal councils.
- National Assembly
- The lower house of Cameroon's parliament, with 180 members elected for five-year terms.
- constitutional reform
- A change made to a country's constitution, the supreme law setting out its institutions and rights.
Source: Wikipedia