While major cities across Cameroon are shaken by protests and gunfire following the proclamation of presidential election results, Bamenda, long seen as the heartbeat of opposition politics, remains strikingly calm.
Shops are open, taxis are on the streets, and children are back in school. On Tuesday morning, life in the North West regional capital appears almost indifferent to the political storm gripping Douala, Yaoundé, and Garoua.
Yet beneath the surface of this uneasy calm lies a complex reality. Bamenda’s silence comes after six weeks of lockdown imposed by separatist fighters ahead of the polls. For many residents, the quiet is less a sign of peace than of fatigue, fear, and detachment.
“This election does not concern us, our battle here is different. People are fighting for something else not voting.” James a local trader at Nkwen Market said playfully.
According to the official results announced by the Constitutional Council on 27 October 2025, President Paul Biya won a resounding 86 percent of votes in the North West Region, far above national averages. But some residents question those figures, arguing that few people actually voted.
Archived picture of Nkwen market
“I didn’t see polling stations full. Many stayed home. Those who voted were mostly government workers or party loyalists. The result doesn’t reflect our reality.” Emmanuel a teacher in Nkwen reacted.Others, however, believe the figures reflect the limited participation of those who dared to vote.
“The few who voted did so for the ruling CPDM. That’s why Biya scored so high. People who oppose the system didn’t take part.” Wirbe, a taxi driver argues.
The silence in Bamenda, analysts say, indicates a deeper sense of political alienation that has grown during the Anglophone crisis. For a city once known for fiery political expression, the absence of reaction speaks volumes.
“Bamenda’s calm is not consent; it is exhaustion. People here have seen enough violence. They are tired of fighting wars be they political or military.” Francis a civil society leader said.
As the rest of Cameroon grapples with protests and instability, Bamenda’s stillness stands as a reminder of disconnection as a city caught between rebellion and resignation.
For now, the markets remain open, taxis continue their rounds, and the city, ever resilient, watches the nation’s turmoil in silence.
By Bakah Derick in Bamenda
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