Incumbent President Biya won 9 Oct election with 78% of votes, securing 6th term. Opposition candidates 10 Oct alleged widespread fraud, intimidation, electoral commission misconduct; 17 Oct requested Supreme Court annul results, request rejected 21 Oct. Demonstrations banned in Douala following confirmation of results. Security forces 2 Oct detained over 200 demonstrators after Anglophone separatist movement Southern Cameroon National Council tried to hold rally ahead of polls.

President Biya’s bid to extend 29-year presidency in 9 Oct polls confirmed 3 Sept with his official registration as Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) candidate. Electoral commission (ELECAM) 9 Sept disqualified over half of 51 presidential candidates, prompting small demonstrations; Supreme Court 21 Sept ruled 2 disqualified candidates may run. Biya 15 Sept said ELECAM’s independence in polls guaranteed, following opposition complaints over appointment of former CPDM party members to body; opposition 27 Sept demanded resignation of commission member alleged to be campaigning for CPDM. Armed men dressed as soldiers 29 Sept shot weapons in Douala; demanded Biya’s resignation. Disqualified presidential candidate Bertin Kisob reportedly claimed responsibility on behalf of Cameroonian People’s Liberation Army.

Social Democratic Front (SDF) leader and presidential candidate Ni John Fru Ndi 11 Aug declared SDF would participate in forthcoming elections scheduled for 9 Oct despite govt failure to implement called-for reforms. Other SDF elements maintained call for boycott. Ruling party convention (RDPC) scheduled for mid-Sept; President Biya expected to officially declare presidential candidacy.

Governing CPDM 18 July said President Biya will run in Oct presidential election, despite opposition claims he is term-limited by 1996 constitution; Biya yet to announce candidature. Parliament 10 July passed law allowing citizens living abroad to vote, key opposition demand. Biya 7 July appointed 6 new members of electoral commission; opposition continued to question credibility, transparency of process.

Frustrations rose ahead of Oct presidential election, with critics of President Biya expressing disappointment with slow pace of reforms. Riot police 31 May dispersed demonstration by farmers against poor roads, low state support; dozens reported arrested. Incident followed May ban on protests in Douala.

Opposition Social Democratic Front 13 May said it will disrupt planned Oct presidential poll, citing govt repression, electoral tampering; 18 May promised to support any popular political unrest against ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM). Former CPDM member Esther Dang 17 May announced candidacy for presidency, second ex-ally of incumbent President Biya to do so.

Govt 8 March suspended Twitter, SMS, citing concerns that social networks could spark popular uprising. Govt 11 March agreed to joint cross border mineral exploitation with Nigeria in Bakassi peninsula.

Paul Abine Ayah, sole challenger to President Paul Biya’s ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), resigned 3 Jan after receiving death threats. Leader of main opposition party Ni John Fru Ndi 6 Jan for first time visited presidency; move perceived as political appeasement before April presidential election.

Month saw laborious progress in preparations for 23 Jan 2011 presidential and legislative elections; UN SRSG Sahle Work-Zewde 9 Dec told UNSC all major remaining political obstacles have been lifted, emphasized fair process crucial for restoring stability. As MINURCAT entered final phase of troop drawdown and withdrawal from Chad and CAR, UNSC 14 Dec extended UN integrated peacebuilding office (BINUCA) mandate for further 12 months until 31 Dec 2011. Govt early Dec confirmed 71 killed including 65 rebels during Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP) late-Nov attack on Birao town. Sudanese President Bashir cancelled plans to attend 1 Dec celebrations marking fiftieth Independence anniversary, reportedly due to CAR’s status as Rome Statue signatory and International Criminal Court indictment against him. LRA 18-19 Dec reportedly attacked Zumaro village, Western Equatoria; 2 killed, more than 50 abducted.

Situation remains stable amid govt’s continued denial it exerts undue influence on electoral commission (ELECAM) ahead of expected Oct 2011 presidential elections. Opposition party Social Democratic Front 22 Aug denounced govt manipulation of ELECAM, refused to participate in voter registration unless ELECAM reformed. Voter registration commenced 24 Aug, week later than official start date. President Biya returned to Cameroon 31 July amid high security; media cited fear of possible coup attempt.