(3 Minutes Read)
The announcement came a day after violent clashes erupted in several cities. In the economic capital Douala, security forces opened fire on demonstrators protesting alleged electoral fraud, leaving at least four people dead, according to local reports.
Cameroon’s Constitutional Council on Monday declared long-serving President Paul Biya the winner of the country’s October 12 presidential election, extending his rule that has spanned more than four decades.
According to official figures, Biya secured 53.66 percent of the vote, defeating his former ally turned challenger Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who received 35.19 percent. The council said voter turnout stood at 57.7 percent. The announcement came a day after violent clashes erupted in several cities. In the economic capital Douala, security forces opened fire on demonstrators protesting alleged electoral fraud, leaving at least four people dead, according to local reports.
In the northern city of Garoua, opposition supporters also took to the streets. On social media, Tchiroma accused security forces of firing on civilians, claiming two people were killed in his hometown.
Authorities have not commented on the allegations, but human rights observers expressed concern over the government’s heavy-handed response to protests. Tchiroma had already declared victory days before the official results were released, citing what he described as tallies compiled by his campaign. His claims were quickly dismissed by ruling party officials as “baseless and inflammatory.”
Despite widespread frustration among younger voters and calls for political renewal, Biya’s Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) maintains a firm grip on power through a network of loyal governors, regional administrators, and security forces.
Read Also:
https://trendsnafrica.com/analysts-predict-cameroon-president-paul-biyas-win-a-foregone-conclusion/
The government said more than 5,000 national and international observers were accredited to monitor the poll. However, a coalition of eight Cameroonian civil society organizations reported irregularities, including deceased names still appearing on voter rolls, unequal distribution of ballot papers, and incidents of ballot box stuffing in some constituencies.