Violence Erupts in Cameroon: Four Dead in Protests Against Paul Biya's Re-Election

Table of Contents

• Protests Erupt Across Cameroon
• Demonstrators Demand Credible Results
• Arrests and Injuries Reported
• Election Results and Reactions
• Opposition Claims Irregularities

Protests erupted throughout Cameroon on Sunday following the announcement of President Paul Biya’s re-election, with reports indicating that four individuals were shot dead during violent confrontations with security forces.

Demonstrators filled the streets of Douala, Garoua, and Maroua, demanding trustworthy results from the October 12 presidential election.

Local officials stated that over 100 protesters were arrested amid the unrest in Douala, the country’s economic center. Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua, the governor of the Littoral Region, confirmed that several security personnel were injured during the clashes.

Videos circulating on social media depicted security forces deploying tear gas and attempting to disperse crowds that had blocked major roads.

The 92-year-old Biya, who has been in power since 1982, received 53.66% of the vote, according to the Constitutional Council.

His closest competitor, former ally Issa Tchiroma Bakary, garnered 35.19%. The announcement of these results was met with widespread outrage among opposition supporters, many of whom accused the government of vote manipulation.

Mr. Bakary had proclaimed himself the winner days prior to the official results, citing figures that were reportedly collected by his party.

The opposition asserts that the election was tainted by irregularities and the disqualification of Biya’s strongest rival. One opposition supporter, 27-year-old trader Oumarou Bouba from Maroua, stated: “I am prepared to risk my life to defend my vote. I voted for Tchiroma because I desire change.”

Local media and the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy previously reported that at least two demonstrators were killed when security forces opened fire to disperse them.