Internet connectivity across Cameroon has been disrupted amid protests against President Paul Biya’s recent re-election, marking the nation’s second internet blackout since the October 2025 presidential election crisis began.
According to internet monitoring group NetBlocks, on Wednesday, multiple social media and messaging platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Telegram were restricted nationwide.
NetBlocks reported that these measures followed the massive telecom interruptions during the October election period, which led to protests and a heavy government crackdown. Since President Biya was declared the winner of the October 12 election, youth-led protests have intensified across Cameroon, particularly in Douala, Cameroon’s largest city, where streets were shut down by demonstrators.
The unrest arises from allegations of electoral fraud, intimidation, and manipulation by Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) due to claims by the opposition parties and human rights activists challenging the credibility of the vote.
On October 27, the Cameroon Constitutional Council confirmed President Biya’s victory, granting him an eighth term. At 92 years old, Biya is the world’s oldest sitting leader, extending his rule beyond four decades. The re-election has been fiercely contested due to concerns of democratic backsliding and political repression.
Cameroon’s internet shutdown closely follows similar disruptions in Tanzania, where President Samia Suluhu Hassan secured a 98% election win due to opposition boycotts and protests. Both cases are a troubling trend, whereby governments impose internet restrictions to control dissent during political crises.
Human rights organizations have condemned such internet blackouts as violations of international law. Amnesty International stated that internet access is a fundamental human right, and shutdowns obstruct the free flow of vital information, hinder access to emergency services, and attempt to conceal abuses during protests.
The group also stressed the crippling economic consequences of internet outages, giving reference to the week-long Tanzania blackout that paralyzed digital payments and basic communications, leading to an economic standstill.
