In Douala, Cameroon, protest breaks out as the opposition leader denies the Biya triumph

Cameroon’s opposition leader has pledged to persist until achieving “final victory” over President Paul Biya, urging his supporters to remain engaged as a civil society group condemned the deaths and arrests occurring during protests across various cities.

Biya, at the age of 92, is the longest-serving state leader in the world, having governed Cameroon since 1982. The announcement of his victory in the October 12 election on Monday has intensified tensions in the cocoa and oil-producing nation, with critics alleging that he is utilizing state institutions to maintain his grip on power.

On Wednesday morning, supporters of Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former government spokesperson turned rival of Biya, once again filled the streets of Douala, the economic capital, which remained littered with debris and burnt tyres following days of unrest.

A civil society group called “Stand up for Cameroon” reported in a media briefing on Wednesday that at least 23 individuals have lost their lives due to the security forces’ crackdown on protesters since the weekend.

Reuters was unable to independently verify those figures, and a government spokesperson did not reply to a request for comment.

ELECTION RESULTS ARE FINAL AND CANNOT BE APPEALED

In other areas of the typically vibrant city, businesses started to slowly reopen after being shut down due to protests and unrest, while traffic continued to be light.

The clarity of the ballot’s truth is evident. We secured a significant victory in this election. “This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to the Cameroonian people,” Tchiroma stated late on Tuesday during his first public address following the Constitutional Council’s confirmation of Biya’s win.

“We stand together, organized, and will persist in our resistance until we achieve ultimate victory.”
The decision made by the council is conclusive and cannot be contested.

Other opposition leaders have claimed extensive fraud, a charge dismissed by the government.

Minister accuses Tchiroma of inciting violence.

On Tuesday, Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji charged Tchiroma with inciting violence and rebellion following his premature declaration of victory on October 13.

“This reckless candidate, motivated by a wish to advance the scheme to undermine public order, made numerous appeals on social media encouraging civil unrest,” Nji stated in a declaration.

He stated that small groups, “often under the influence of drugs,” had vandalized shops and ignited fires in public buildings. No evidence was provided to support the claim that the protesters had taken drugs.

The Stand up for Cameroon group stated that arrested protesters and other civilians are being detained in “inhumane” conditions.

“The testimonies from the lawyers detail swollen faces, bruises, and degrading treatment imposed on citizens attempting to exercise their constitutional rights,” it stated in a statement.

A video shared on social media depicted security forces placing a lifeless body onto the rear of a military truck. In a different clip, protesters were heard chanting, “Return the body.”

The authenticity of the videos could not be verified by Reuters. Security forces referred all inquiries regarding allegations concerning the treatment of detainees to the government.

In Douala, a city that has faced significant violence, Nji reported that numerous public and private properties have been vandalized.

He reported that security personnel sustained injuries and that attackers were killed during the clashes.
During a press conference on Tuesday, the governor of the region announced that more than 200 individuals had been apprehended in relation to the protests.