Protests erupted across Cameroon on Sunday following the announcement of President Paul Biya’s re-election, with four people reportedly shot dead in violent clashes with security forces.
Demonstrators flooded the streets of Douala, Garoua, and Maroua demanding credible results from the October 12 presidential election.
According to local officials, more than 100 protesters were arrested during the unrest in Douala, the country’s economic capital. Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua, governor of the Littoral Region, confirmed that several security officers were injured during confrontations.
Videos circulating online showed security forces firing tear gas and attempting to disperse crowds who had barricaded major roads.
The 92-year-old Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982, secured 53.66% of the vote, according to the Constitutional Council.
His closest rival, former ally Issa Tchiroma Bakary, received 35.19%. The result was met with widespread anger among opposition supporters, many of whom accused the government of manipulating the vote.
Mr. Bakary had declared himself the winner days before the official results, citing figures allegedly gathered by his party.
The opposition insists the election was marred by irregularities and the disqualification of Biya’s strongest rival. One opposition supporter, 27-year-old trader Oumarou Bouba from Maroua, said: “I am ready to stake my life to defend my vote. I voted for Tchiroma because I want change.”
Local media and the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy earlier reported that at least two demonstrators were killed when security forces opened fire to disperse them.
