Cameroon is engulfed in widespread unrest following the controversial re-election of President Paul Biya, who, at 92 years old, has secured another term in office, extending his 43-year rule.
The announcement by the Constitutional Council has sparked violent protests across major cities, including Douala, Bafoussam, and Yaoundé, with demonstrators accusing the government of electoral fraud and demanding political change.
Violence and Resistance Intensify.
In Douala, the economic capital, protesters reportedly set fire to the home of the city’s mayor, symbolising their fury at what many are calling a stolen mandate. Social media accounts like @cecild84 and @TENIBEGILOJU202 have amplified calls for resistance, with claims that Cameroonian youths are confronting both national forces and French troops allegedly deployed to suppress the uprising. The clashes have led to casualties, with government soldiers opening fire in broad daylight in Bafoussam, leaving residents terrified.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has expressed alarm over reports of killings, injuries, and mass arrests linked to the protests. They have called for restraint and investigations into the excessive use of force. Human Rights Watch corroborated these concerns, urging the Cameroonian government to release wrongfully detained protesters and rein in security forces.
President Biya, in a statement, acknowledged the loss of lives due to post-election violence but maintained that the people had placed their trust in him once again. Meanwhile, opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary has rejected the results, accusing the government of rigging the vote. His supporters have taken to the streets, blocking roads and clashing with riot police.
The emotional toll is evident. Kathleen Ndongmo shared a poignant moment from Douala, where an elderly man cried out “c’est pas vrai!”—a heart-wrenching reaction to the dashed hope of witnessing political transition in his lifetime.
Despite the chaos, Brigadier General Ngolo Ngomba Tobie delivered a rare moment of calm, addressing demonstrators in Douala with a message of solidarity: “We are with you.” His speech was welcomed by residents and helped prevent further escalation in that neighbourhood. However, violent repression continues in other parts of the city.
Commentators have drawn attention to the longevity of Biya’s rule, noting that when football legend George Weah was discovered in Cameroon in 1988, Biya was already president. Weah has since served and left office as Liberia’s president, while Biya remains in power a stark reflection of political stagnation in parts of Africa.
As tensions mount, many Cameroonians are questioning the value of voting under such conditions. One Douala resident told News Central TV, “Perhaps Cameroonians should no longer vote,” echoing a growing sentiment of disenchantment with the democratic process.
