Cameroon plunges into violence after questionable reelection of President Biya
Violence and unrest have swept through Cameroon following the proclamation of President Paul Biya as the winner of the October 12 election, as his government cracks down on dissent to his 42-year rule.
Reports circulating online show scenes of chaos in several parts of the country, including gunfire and arson in the commercial capital, Douala. Biya acknowledged the violence and offered condolences to “those who have unnecessarily lost their lives” after his victory was announced.
Candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who placed second with 35.2% of the vote, claimed civilians outside his Garoua home were being shot at hours before the proclamation, triggering widespread concern.
“Urgent: Currently at my home in Garoua, they are shooting at civilians who are camping in front of my house,” Tchiroma wrote on Facebook on Monday. “The assault is on.”
Reports from the ground relayed to Global South World indicate growing fear among Cameroonians.
While allegations of vote rigging are not new in the country — nearly every election has been accused of favouring Biya — sources say his government is now responding to these claims not with restraint, but with force.
Biya’s victory was confirmed after Cameroon’s Constitutional Council dismissed all eight petitions alleging electoral irregularities, any of which could have led to the partial or total cancellation of the polls.
Opposition groups, including Tchiroma, have rejected the results. The former Biya ally claimed on social media that he was the real winner and accused the council of being “complicit in a breach of trust.”
Biya, meanwhile, sought to present himself as a magnanimous victor and unifying leader, acknowledging the “weight of the responsibility” and the “great expectations” of his “compatriots.”
“At this point in time when the sovereign people have once again placed their trust in me for a new term of office, my first thoughts are with all those who have unnecessarily lost their lives, as well with their families, as a result of the post-election violence.”
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
