Two killed in Cameroon protests ahead of election results, opposition says

According to the opposition campaign, at least two people have been killed by gunfire in Cameroon as a result of protests the day before the results of the presidential election were announced.

In Cameroon’s commercial capital Douala on Sunday, hundreds of supporters of opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma erected barriers to roads and burned tires. To disperse the crowds, police used tear gas and water cannons. Additionally, a police car was burned.

The protesters accuse the authorities of preparing to rig the election by accusing Tchiroma of defeating 92-year-old Paul Biya in the October 12 polls.

In a number of cities, protests have erupted, including Yaounde, Tchiroma’s hometown Garoua, Maroua, Meiganga, Bafang, Bertoua, Kousseri, Yagoua, Kaele, and Bafoussam.

Following preliminary reports from the local media that Biya was poised to win an eighth term in office, the demonstrations took place.

Tchiroma was deemed the winner during the counting process, as reported by the figures. Tchiroma contests the electoral commission’s decision to award Biya the victory during the national count, which the electoral commission later disagreed with.

He claims to have won the elections and has the supporting evidence, which led to calls for nationwide demonstrations to demand the truth about the ballot boxes.

“We want Tchiroma,” the statement read.

“We want Tchiroma, we want Tchiroma!” In Douala’s New Bell neighborhood, the protesters chanted. They threw rocks and other projectiles at security forces as they scuffed up roads with debris.

On Sunday, police detained at least four protesters, according to Reuters news agency reporters.

The opposition’s claims of irregularities have been refuted by Cameroon’s government, which has urged people to wait until the election results, which are scheduled for Monday.

Tensions were raised earlier on Sunday when Tchiroma’s campaign manager claimed that authorities had arrested about 30 politicians and activists who supported his candidacy.

He claimed that Djeukam Tchameni, the leader of the MANIDEM party, and Anicet Ekane, a well-known member of the Union for Change movement, were among those who were being detained.

Although he did not specify who or how many people had been detained, Cameroon’s interior minister, Paul Atanga Nji, on Saturday, announced that arrests had been made in connection with what he termed an “insurrectional movement.”

Biya has been in power in Cameroon since 1982, making her the oldest ruler in the world. He could remain in power until he reaches the age of 100 with a further seven years.