Cameroon’s government on Tuesday confirmed that several people were killed during protests following the disputed re-election of 92-year-old President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state. Authorities, however, placed the blame squarely on opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary.
At least four people have been reported dead since demonstrations erupted across the central African nation after Biya—who has ruled since 1982—was declared the winner of the October election, securing an eighth term in office.
Tchiroma, a former government minister, insists he was the rightful winner and has called on his supporters to rally in major cities. Police have since dispersed several of these gatherings, which authorities described as “illegal demonstrations.”
“Illegal demonstrations have resulted in loss of life and destruction of public and private property,” said Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji during a press conference, without disclosing casualty details.
Atanga Nji accused Tchiroma of issuing “repeated calls for insurrection” and claimed that his supporters organized “violent demonstrations” leading to fires, looting, and property damage in multiple cities, including Dschang, Ngon, Guider, and Garoua.
“During these criminal attacks... some of the attackers lost their lives,” the minister added.
He also announced that an investigation had been launched into Tchiroma’s actions, alleging that the opposition leader had committed “several offences punishable under our laws.” Several security personnel were reportedly injured in the clashes.
Mounting Tensions and Fear of Escalation
The violence following the closer-than-expected October 12 ballot has sparked fears of escalating unrest in the former French colony.
Tchiroma claimed that two protesters were shot dead on Monday near his home in Garoua. “I’m staying at home all week. If the violence starts again, we won’t be able to escape in time,” said a local teacher who requested anonymity.
On Sunday, four people were killed during confrontations between security forces and opposition supporters in Douala, the country’s economic capital, according to the regional governor.
Videos purportedly showing more fatalities have circulated on social media, though officials have yet to confirm them. “Violence could erupt at any moment. We hope things will calm down,” said Boubakary, a 26-year-old resident of Douala.
International Response
Police maintained a heavy presence in Douala on Tuesday as shops cautiously reopened in Garoua, according to AFP correspondents.
The European Union (EU) expressed deep concern over the situation, condemning what it called the “violent repression” of protests and urging the release of all those it described as “arbitrarily detained.”
“The European Union urges all sides to exercise restraint and refrain from any actions that may further inflame tensions,” said EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni, adding that the bloc “deplores the death by firearm of a number of civilians.”
Decades of Authoritarian Rule
Biya, who has led Cameroon for over four decades, is only the second person to rule the country since its independence from France in 1960. His presidency has been marked by tight political control, suppression of dissent, economic inequality, and violent separatist movements in the country’s English-speaking regions.
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