Cameroon’s government, led by the world’s oldest ruler, President Paul Biya, has restricted access to major social media and messaging platforms barely hours after UN data revealed that security forces had opened fire on and killed 48 civilians while responding to protests against his recent re-election.
Access to popular services, including TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Telegram, has been reportedly restricted, according to sources including NetBlocks, an internet monitoring group. The move comes as the 92-year-old president prepares for his swearing-in ceremony on Thursday after securing his eighth term in office, according to official results.
The UN data indicates that the majority of the civilian victims were killed by live rounds, while others died from injuries sustained after being beaten with batons and sticks. The government has not explained the security forces’ use of excessive force against the demonstrators.
Nearly half of the recorded deaths occurred in Cameroon’s Littoral region, which includes the major port city of Douala. This area was the epicentre of intense, election-related protests last week.
The demonstrations were sparked by the results of the recent presidential election. Official tallies declared Paul Biya the winner, securing him an eighth term. However, the main opposition candidate, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has vehemently rejected the official results, claiming to have won the election and calling on Cameroonians to reject the declared outcome.
Sources: Reuters, NetBlocks, AP.
