Protests in Douala, Cameroon after the opposition leader refused to win Biya news

The opposition leader in Cameroon pledged to continue the resistance until achieving “final victory” over President Paul Biya, calling on his supporters to remain mobilized, at a time when a civil society group denounced deaths and arrests during protests in several cities.

Political tension after the announcement of the election results

President Biya, 92, is the world’s oldest head of state and has ruled Cameroon since 1982.

The announcement of his victory in the October 12 elections – which was issued on Monday – led to escalating tensions in the cocoa and oil-producing country, as his critics accuse him of using state institutions to remain in power.

Opposition supporters demonstrate in Douala

On Wednesday morning, supporters of Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the former government spokesman turned Libyan rival, took to the streets of the economic capital Douala, which were still littered with debris and burning tires after days of unrest.

The “Stand for Cameroon” group reported that at least 23 people had been killed as a result of security forces’ crackdown on demonstrators since the weekend.

Reuters was unable to independently verify these numbers, and a government spokesman did not respond to requests for comment.

Election results are not subject to appeal

In other parts of the usually crowded city of Douala, commercial centers have gradually begun to reopen after being closed due to protests, but traffic has remained light.

In his first public speech on Tuesday evening after the Constitutional Council confirmed Biya’s victory, Tchiroma said, “The truth about the ballot boxes is clear. We won these elections with a large majority. This victory is not mine alone, but rather it is for the Cameroonian people.”

He added, “We are united, mobilized, and we will continue to resist until final victory.”

The Council confirmed that its decision was final and not subject to appeal, while other opposition leaders accused the government of committing widespread fraud, accusations denied by the authorities.

Accusations of incitement to violence

On Tuesday, Interior Minister Paul Atanga Njie accused Chiroma of inciting violence and rebellion after his early announcement of victory on October 13.

He said in a statement, “This irresponsible candidate, driven by a desire to carry out a conspiracy to disturb public order, issued repeated calls on social media inciting civil unrest.”

He added that small groups, “often under the influence of drugs,” looted stores and set fire to public buildings, without providing evidence that protesters were using drugs.

Inhumane detention conditions

The group Stand for Cameroon noted that arrested protesters and other civilians were being held in “inhumane” conditions.

“Lawyers’ testimonies indicate swollen faces, bruises, and degrading treatment to which citizens who sought to exercise their constitutional rights were subjected,” the group said in a statement.

Two controversial videos

A video clip circulated on social media showing security forces placing a lifeless body in the back of a military truck, and in another clip, demonstrators were heard chanting, “Return the body.”

Reuters was unable to verify the authenticity of these two clips, while security forces referred all questions regarding the treatment of detainees to the government.

Widespread damage and mass arrests

In Douala – which witnessed some of the heaviest violence – Minister Njie said that many public and private properties were vandalized, and that members of the security forces were injured, while demonstrators were killed during the clashes.

The governor of the region announced in a press conference the day before yesterday, Tuesday, that more than 200 people were arrested in connection with the protests.