UPDATE: Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, at 92 years old, has just been declared the winner of the presidential election, securing an eighth term with 53.66% of the vote against his rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who garnered 35.19%. This announcement has ignited widespread protests across the nation, resulting in reports of gunfire and violence.
Authorities confirmed the results of the election held on October 12, 2023, but the aftermath has been anything but peaceful. Tchiroma, the main opposition challenger, accused the government of electoral fraud and reported that two people were killed in gunfire outside his home in Garoua. He claimed that the shots were fired at civilians, although details remain unclear.
Protests erupted in various cities, including Douala and the capital Yaounde, where streets were largely deserted and businesses shut down. Riot police were deployed to control the unrest. In Douala, clashes between opposition supporters and security forces escalated, with police using tear gas against demonstrators who erected barricades and burned tires in protest of the election outcome.
“We all know that the majority of Cameroon’s people voted for Issa Tchiroma Bakary,” one protester stated defiantly in Douala. The violence follows a week filled with tension, as partial results indicated Biya was poised to win.
Political analysts warn that the situation is precarious. “We expect unrest to escalate as Cameroonians widely reject the official result,” cautioned Francois Conradie, lead political economist at Oxford Economics. Meanwhile, Murithi Mutiga, Africa Program Director at the International Crisis Group, urged for immediate national mediation to prevent further violence.
Biya has ruled Cameroon since 1982, maintaining power through various means, including the removal of presidential term limits in 2008. His lengthy tenure has raised questions about his health, as he frequently spends significant time in Europe.
The election result could solidify his grip on power until he approaches 100 years old, but the backlash from the public suggests a deep-seated discontent. The country, once a German colony, has been plagued by conflict, particularly between the French-speaking majority and separatists in the English-speaking regions, leading to over 6,500 lives lost since 2017.
As the nation grapples with these developments, the international community is watching closely. Calls for accountability and legitimacy in governance are growing louder amidst fears of escalating violence.
Next Steps: As protests continue and tensions rise, the situation is fluid. Observers will be monitoring for further violence and the government’s response to the unrest. The potential for confrontation remains high as opposition supporters rally against what they view as an unjust election result.
