At least four people have been killed in Cameroon’s commercial capital, Douala, after violent clashes broke out between police and opposition supporters on Sunday.
The unrest came a day before the official announcement of the country’s presidential election results.
Hundreds of protesters, mainly supporters of opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma, filled the streets claiming that Tchiroma had defeated longtime leader Paul Biya in the October 12 vote.
Witnesses said the protesters barricaded roads, burned tyres, and threw stones at police. Security forces fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse them.
According to Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua, the regional governor, some protesters also attacked police stations in Douala’s second and sixth districts. “Four people unfortunately lost their lives,” he said, adding that several officers were injured.
Tchiroma’s campaign team confirmed the deaths and accused the government of trying to rig the election. They claim Tchiroma won 54.8 percent of the vote compared to Biya’s 31.3 percent.
The government, however, has rejected the allegations and urged citizens to wait for official results from the Constitutional Council, expected on Monday 27th october.
Protests have since spread to other major cities, including Yaounde, Garoua, Maroua, Bafoussam, and Bertoua. Reports also indicate that internet services have been disrupted in some areas.
Tchiroma’s team says about 30 opposition politicians and activists have been arrested, including Anicet Ekane of the MANIDEM party and Union for Change leader Djeukam Tchameni.
President Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982, is seeking a new seven-year term that would keep him in power until nearly 100 years old.
Despite calls for calm, tension continues to rise as opposition supporters demand “their vote be respected.”
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