Iran International said it delayed publishing casualty estimates until it had assessed what it described as converging and credible evidence, citing the risks of releasing incomplete figures in a country where access to information is tightly controlled.

The outlet said its assessment was based on a multi-stage review of information from sources it described as close to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and presidential office, as well as accounts from within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, medical staff, eyewitnesses and families of those killed.

According to its findings, the deaths occurred largely over two nights, on January 8 and 9, during a nationwide crackdown on protests, and involved coordinated use of lethal force rather than isolated or spontaneous clashes.

Iran International said those killed were mainly shot by members of the Revolutionary Guard and the Basij militia, and that many of the victims were under the age of 30.

The outlet alleged that the operation was ordered at the highest levels of the state, claiming the decision to use live fire was taken with the knowledge and approval of Iran’s top political and security leadership. These claims could not be independently verified.

Iranian authorities have rejected such accounts, putting the death toll at around 2,000. An official told Reuters that those killed were victims of violence by “terrorists” and vandals, not the security forces.

Human rights groups and international media have reported confirmed deaths in the hundreds, while stressing that independent verification remains extremely difficult because of severe restrictions on reporting and communications inside Iran.

The stark disparity between official figures and the claims by Iran International underscores the challenge of assessing the true human cost of Iran’s unrest, as information controls and competing narratives continue to obscure events on the ground.

In his message, Tchiroma alleged that security forces loyal to what he called an “illegitimate regime” used lethal force against demonstrators who took to the streets after the vote. He said the victims were ordinary citizens defending their ballots. 

“They fell so that the truth may live. They were Cameroonians. They were our martyrs,” he said.

The opposition leader outlined a series of directives for the day of mourning, urging the complete suspension of commercial activity, government services, and public operations nationwide. 

According to him, the shutdown is meant to create a unified moment of reflection across the country.

Tchiroma also appealed to religious communities, requesting that Christians, Muslims, and people of other faiths gather in places of worship for collective prayer. 

A central part of Friday’s planned observance is a minute of silence scheduled for noon. Tchiroma called on Cameroonians living abroad to join the moment as well, saying the diaspora remains an integral part of the movement challenging the disputed election results.

“This will not be an ordinary day … It will be a day of silence, remembrance, reflection — and resistance,” he said, arguing that public participation would demonstrate continued opposition to the government.

During his address, Tchiroma announced the creation of a victims’ support fund intended to assist families of those killed or detained during the post-election crackdown. 

The call for a national observance comes days after Tchiroma issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the release of all detained protesters. Authorities freed a small number of minors during that period, but he dismissed the move as a “masquerade,” insisting that many more remain in custody and alleging that arrests are ongoing.

Tchiroma also delivered a forceful rejection of any attempt at political compromise. 

“I will not back down. I will not negotiate. I will never capitulate,” he declared, accusing the administration of President Paul Biya of violating its oath of office and “stealing” the election.

Tchiroma reiterated that he considers his claim to the presidency non-negotiable, saying his “mandate” would be defended “at any cost,” in the name of “justice, dignity, and the future of Cameroon.” 

“It was very certain that Biya was going to clinch another victory,” said Amindeh Blaise Atabong, a Yaounde-based journalist who covers politics and society. “He has the apparatus.”

At 92, Biya is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders and the world’s oldest head of state. Over 42 years in power, he has built a vast political machinery that critics say extends well beyond the bounds of legality — and deep into the electoral process itself.

Atabong said many Cameroonians have lost faith in the ballot box entirely. The International Foundation for Electoral Systems has described the country as an “electoral autocracy,” one that holds regular votes but fails to meet basic democratic standards.

Protests erupted even before the official proclamation of results, triggering violent clashes in Douala, Cameroon’s commercial capital, that left at least four people dead. 

There were even reports from opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who finished second with 35.2% of the vote, of civilians outside his home being shot at hours before the announcement.

“It was very, very tense, and it has only gotten worse since then, especially after the proclamation of the results,” Atabong told Global South World. 

Biya has acknowledged the post-election violence in a brief statement released online shortly after being declared the winner, in what was his first and only public comment since re-election.

As protests swell across the country, uncertainty now hangs over Biya’s new seven-year term — including whether he will even be able to see it through, which would leave him in office until just shy of his 100th birthday.

“It's possible,” Atabong said when asked if Biya could step down before the term ends. “We've seen that in other places in Africa, with the most recent example being Madagascar, where the president had to flee because of popular protests.”

“So, everything is possible. We can’t rule that out.”

Change or nothing

Biya is set to be inaugurated on November 6 in Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé. 

Atabong said the president returns to power over a country increasingly weary of the same leadership, with frustration especially high among the youth, a generation that feels locked out of opportunity and excluded from decision-making.

“The youth are really frustrated. Most of them are trying to leave the country. They are fed up with the system, which is mostly owned by octogenarians,” he said. 

Now entering his eighth term, Biya faces a Cameroon under growing strain, from global shocks such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza to domestic challenges including the long-running Boko Haram insurgency and deep linguistic divisions between the country’s English- and French-speaking regions.

With a 92-year-old president who frequently disappears from public view, questions are mounting over whether Biya remains fit to govern.

“Economically, the country is shrinking, there is bad governance , there is corruption, there is high level of unemployment, the cost of living is high, and we have not really capitalised on the transformation of most of our local resources,” Atabong said. 

“All of that put together, it's a cocktail that can easily degenerate.”

Ruling for more than four decades has left Cameroon deeply dependent on Biya’s grip. Still, Atabong said many citizens are bracing for the inevitable instability that will follow his eventual exit, whenever that comes.

“There is no indication that he is ready to step down because after he modified the constitution in 2008, striking off the term limit, he is still free constitutionally to go in for another mandate after this current one, which he just won,” he said.

“People just want change, even if it means moving from bad to worse.”

What now?

For now, as Biya remains out of public view, opposition figures continue to contest the results of the October 12 election.

Tchiroma had called for a three-day national lockdown, urging Cameroonians to “let the entire country come to a standstill,” to show the world that “we are resisting and that we will not yield” and to remind the Biya government that “the strength of an economy is its people.”

However, following violent clashes outside his Garoua home, Tchiroma was reportedly forced to flee with the help of “loyalist army” members, a move that, if confirmed, could signal growing cracks within Biya’s own ranks.

“The way going forward, I think it will depend on a couple of factors. First of all, it depends on within the rank of the security forces,” Atabong said. “If that doesn't happen, then I think not long from now, the riots will grow. So, it all depends on the days ahead, how it's going to play out.”

Atabong also noted the muted reaction abroad. The African Union even congratulated the longtime Cameroonian president in a statement that also expressed concern over the post-election unrest in the country.

“Since Cameroon, and largely Africa, has been a diplomatic battlefield, most of the foreign powers are very cautious on how they go about relations with the incoming government,” he said.

“Big countries like the US, maybe Russia, maybe China, they will more or less end up at lip service and be more cautious about how they comment on the developments in Cameroon because they have their interest in the country,” he added. “For now, the international community is failing Cameroon.”

With just days to go before Biya’s November 6 inauguration, unrest continues to define the political climate. What unfolds in the coming days could determine not only the next seven years of Biya’s rule, but also whether Cameroon’s fragile calm can hold at all.

“People are supposed to be in the streets for three or four days until the guy changes position,” an Ivorian journalist told me in a recent interview. “But some people are afraid."

"Do you know that since the day the guy took power in 2010, until today, there have been some people in jail? Can you believe this?" he added.

That fear is not unfounded. In the lead-up to the 2020 election , at least 85 people were killed in political violence after President Alassane Ouattara announced he would run for a third term, a move widely seen as unconstitutional at the time.

The opposition boycotted the vote, labelling it a “constitutional coup,” and the resulting low-turnout election saw Ouattara claim over 94% of the vote.

The current tensions lie in the electoral list, which opposition leaders claim is deliberately packed with non-Ivorian names to tip the scales in favour of the ruling party.

“Even if it is Jesus Christ, this president will win,” said the journalist. “Because he has put so many foreign people inside.”

The 2002 civil war and the post-electoral crisis of 2010 were both rooted in disputes over who qualifies as truly Ivorian . In a country with a significant immigrant population, opposition leaders say Ouattara’s electoral commission is exploiting that legacy to manufacture loyalty through questionable registrations.

Efforts to audit or revise the register have been rebuffed. “What is the most important? It is to check one by one, all people on the list to see if they are Ivorian or not. The guy will refuse. Because if this list is cleared, he will never win — never, never, never.”

Many fear a repeat of 2020’s violence , or worse. The opposition has signalled that unless the electoral list is revised and all qualified candidates reinstated, they may reject the results outright. “I’m not sure this election will be held,” the journalist confessed. “If on the 25th of this month the election is not held, from the 26th morning he is no more the president. There will be someone — not involved in politics — to organise it.” It’s a scenario that edges the country close to *constitutional rupture*.

Should protests escalate or the vote be widely discredited, international mediation may be required, as was the case in 2011, when post-election violence ended only after French and UN troops intervened. For now, Ivorians live with a sense of déjà vu.

On Monday, May 12, M23’s military spokesperson, Willy Ngoma, presented 181 men to the media at Goma’s main sports stadium, identifying them as “Rwandan subjects” allegedly in the country illegally.

Although the men carried Congolese identification documents, the rebel group claimed the papers were fake and proceeded to burn them publicly on the stadium grounds, according to an AFP journalist on site.

Several hundred women and children —relatives of the detained men—were also brought to the stadium aboard trucks arranged by M23.

One detainee, who identified himself only as Eric, told AFP he was from Karenga in North Kivu, a region known to be a stronghold of the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), a rebel group formed by former Rwandan Hutu leaders responsible for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

By early Saturday, 360 individuals had been loaded onto buses from Goma, said Eujin Byun, spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The agency emphasised that any repatriation of refugees must be “safe, voluntary, and carried out with dignity,” in accordance with international law.

Back at home, however, the mayor of the Rubavu district in Rwanda, Prosper Mulindwa, expressed his excitement about receiving the returnees and helping them to integrate into the Rwandan way of living.

"We are happy to welcome so many Rwandans. Today we are receiving 360 people , but we have information that in Goma, at the UNHCR centre, more than 2,000 Rwandans are preparing to return home. So we are happy because we will have additional help to accelerate the development of our country," he told AFP.

The roadblocks were initiated by Morales' loyalists in response to his potential arrest over allegations of abusing a minor. The blockades have expanded from four initial sites to 18, primarily around Cochabamba, Morales' political stronghold.

Protesters have targeted key routes, including those connecting Cochabamba to Sucre and Santa Cruz, effectively cutting off major transportation arteries.

"If you don't work, you don't eat," said Santos, 25, who had been waiting for almost six hours to fill up told AFP. "It's a total loss, especially for us who are on public transport."

Evo Morales, Bolivia's first Indigenous leader who served from 2006 to 2019, is currently under investigation for rape, human trafficking, and smuggling, stemming from an alleged relationship with a 15-year-old girl, with whom he is accused of fathering a daughter in 2016.

Initially, the demonstrations aimed to prevent Morales' potential arrest, but they have since evolved into protests against the economic policies of President Luis Arce's government.

Several voters lined up at voting centres early Saturday morning to cast their vote.

Businessman Ganeshan Bhaskaran told AFP that he is hopeful that new leadership could stabilise the economy and curb the exodus of educated citizens.

Lawyer Soundarie David Rodrigo noted the critical nature of the election, saying she voted for stability after witnessing the country endure events such as the Easter bombings and the 2022 Aragalaya protests.

Wickremesinghe, who took office following the civil unrest in 2022, is seeking a new mandate to continue his economic reforms, which have helped restore stability after severe shortages of food, fuel, and medicine.

Violent protests erupted in Quetta, Pakistan, as demonstrators attacked the Kharotabad police station with a grenade, demanding the release of a blasphemy suspect. The unrest, involving supporters of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), resulted in clashes with police and traffic disruptions. The grenade exploded outside the station without causing injuries. According to ANI , blasphemy laws in Pakistan, which criminalise acts deemed insulting to Islam, have historically incited violent protests, as seen in high-profile cases like the acquittal of Asia Bibi and the assassination of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer. Critics argue these laws disproportionately target religious minorities and perpetuate a climate of fear and intolerance.

Opposition lawmakers detained

Multiple opposition lawmakers in Pakistan, primarily from Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have been detained and charged with terrorism offences following a large rally demanding Khan's release. The rally, held on the outskirts of Islamabad, attracted thousands and led to clashes with police. The PTI plans to stage a major protest against what they describe as an unjust military-backed crackdown, reports NHK World .

Probe into political arrests

Senator Irfan Siddiqui criticised recent arrests of parliament members, calling for an investigation during a Senate session. He condemned the incidents, stating they tarnished parliament's reputation, and questioned why his own 2019 arrest went unchallenged. He denounced the previous PTI government for targeting opposition leaders and dismissed violent protest methods, asserting that meaningful change cannot come from destruction. Siddiqui urged accountability for the current unrest and emphasised parliament's resilience in overcoming challenges, Dunya reported.

Instability

Former US diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad has raised alarms about increasing instability in Pakistan, pointing to a rise in terrorism, military interference in politics, and widespread public protests. He criticized the army chief, General Asim Munir, for his role in escalating internal violence and noted that ISIS is reportedly establishing bases in Balochistan. Khalilzad also highlighted Pakistan's worsening economic situation, heavily reliant on International Monetary Fund (IMF) rescue packages. As reported by ANI , amidst these issues, residents of Karachi are facing severe shortages of water and electricity, leading to protests over high bills and power outages. Overall, the situation in Pakistan appears increasingly precarious, with significant implications for both security and economic stability.

US sanctions

The US State Department has imposed sanctions on a Chinese research institute and several companies for their involvement in supplying Pakistan's ballistic missile program. This includes the Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry, which reportedly procured equipment for testing rocket motors for the Shaheen-3 and Ababeel systems. Additional targets are three China-based firms and a Pakistan-based company for violating missile technology restrictions, reports India TV News . The US emphasized its commitment to combat proliferation activities. Responses from China and Pakistan’s embassies were not immediately available.

The spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry, Nasser Kanani, categorically rejected the claims: "We strongly reject the accusations regarding Iran's role in exporting arms to one side of the war."

Kanani, however, emphasised that Iran maintains a neutral stance in the conflict and does not support any side through military means.

"We have clearly stated that we are not part of the war and conflict in Ukraine. We believe that the political solution is the best solution to end the current crisis in Ukraine," he added.

According to reports from US media last week, Washington suspects that Iran has supplied weapons to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict, based on information from anonymous sources.

Meanwhile, EU spokesman, Peter Stano has said the union was aware of credible information to confirm Iran's involvement in sending arms to Russia.

"We are aware of the credible information provided by allies on the delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia. We are looking further into it with our member states and if confirmed, this delivery would represent a substantive material escalation in Iran's support for Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine," Stano said.

Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and nine others are under investigation for genocide and crimes against humanity during a mass movement against her government. The complaints accuse them of orchestrating a violent crackdown on student protesters, resulting in widespread casualties and human rights violations, NDTV reports. The investigation outcome will be communicated to the tribunal within seven days. Over 230 people died in the violence following the fall of the Hasina government, and a caretaker government has been formed to address administrative and political reforms.

Persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed hope that the situation in violence-hit Bangladesh will soon normalize. He noted that 140 crore Indians are concerned about the safety of Hindus and minorities there. According to BS , during his Independence Day speech, Modi emphasised India's commitment to peace and support for Bangladesh's development. His remarks come amid concerns over attacks on the Hindu community in Bangladesh, following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and flight to India on August 5 after weeks of unrest.

UN team's visit

A UN fact-finding team will visit Bangladesh to investigate atrocities committed during deadly protests that toppled the prime minister. The unrest left at least 300 people dead and thousands injured, with more than 11,000 people arrested. The new interim government, led by Nobel-winning economist Muhammad Yunus, has pledged to prioritise human rights and seek UN cooperation to rebuild the country. This will be the first time the UN has sent a fact-finding mission to investigate human rights abuses in Bangladesh. Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina is facing charges of murder, genocide, and crimes against humanity, Arab News reports.

Students attack Hasina supporters

Student protesters and political activists in Bangladesh attacked supporters of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to guard the student-led “revolution” and prevent them from reaching the house of her father, the assassinated independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. As reported by Aljazeera , Hasina's government was accused of human rights abuses and the UN is set to investigate the atrocities committed during the protests that led to her ouster.

Experts surprised by Bangladeshi 'revolution'

The recent Bangladesh crisis surprised India, highlighting the need to rethink its neighbourhood strategy. Experts advise India to develop its political, economic, and military power independently to become a credible force in the region. The Hindu also emphasises the importance of maintaining control over the Indian Ocean Region and collaborating with neighbouring countries to prevent intelligence failures in the future. The potential involvement of China in Bangladesh adds a new layer of complexity to the situation, requiring India to tread carefully in the coming months.

Protesters, primarily young people, took to the streets to voice their frustration over soaring inflation, a devalued currency, and the removal of fuel subsidies. These economic challenges have left many Nigerians struggling to afford necessities.

In Kano, protesters set fire to tyres outside the state governor's office, prompting police to respond with tear gas. Similar scenes unfolded in Abuja, where security forces blocked roads and used tear gas to prevent demonstrators from reaching key protest sites.

The protests turned deadly, with reports of at least three fatalities and numerous injuries. Amnesty International has called for an investigation into the use of force by security personnel.

As of Thursday, August 1, about 16 people have been reported dead during the anti-Maduro protests started on Monday, July 29.

Despite the chaos, the people of Petare remain hopeful. Their candlelight vigil is a powerful symbol of their desire for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

"We want peace for our children and a better future for our country," says Maria, a resident participating in the vigil.

The protests were initially sparked by the government's quota system for public sector jobs. This system reserves a significant portion of positions for the children of war heroes and other specific groups, which students argue is discriminatory and undermines merit-based recruitment.

The situation escalated when peaceful demonstrators from Dhaka University were attacked by individuals believed to be affiliated with the ruling Awami League

The violence quickly spread, with reports of police using tear gas, sound grenades, and even live ammunition against protesters. By July 18, the death toll had risen to 32, with the highest number of fatalities occurring on July 19, when 75 people were killed in a single day. The government imposed a "shoot at sight" curfew and a communication blackout, further intensifying the unrest.

However, on Tuesday, July 23, the Bangladesh government announced it would comply with a Supreme Court ruling to open 93% of state jobs to competition, addressing a major student demand after a week of intense protests.

The protests have not been limited to Dhaka. Cities like Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Barishal have also seen significant unrest. The government's heavy-handed response has drawn criticism from both domestic and international observers, who accuse it of using excessive force and violating human rights.

This election comes at a crucial time for Sri Lanka, which has faced considerable political and economic turmoil in recent years. The last direct presidential election was held in 2019, resulting in a landslide victory for Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

However, Rajapaksa's tenure was cut short in 2022 amid mass protests and an economic crisis, leading to his resignation and the appointment of Ranil Wickremesinghe as president.

“This election comes after a long period of political and economic upheaval,” Al Jazeera’s Minelle Fernadez said, reporting from the capital, Colombo. “The country is going through a huge economic crisis with people unable to afford basic essentials like food, medicine and fuel.”

President Wickremesinghe, who assumed office in July 2022, is seeking re-election as an independent candidate. He faces stiff competition from prominent figures such as opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and National People's Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Other notable candidates include former army commander Sarath Fonseka and Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.

Almost 17 million of Sri Lanka’s 22 million people are eligible to vote in an election which will be conducted using a limited ranked voting system, where voters can express up to three preferences.

If no candidate secures over 50% of the votes in the first count, the second and third preferences will be distributed until a candidate achieves a majority.

The political climate leading up to the election has been tense, with various attempts to postpone the election being quashed by the Supreme Court. The court emphasised the constitutional requirement to hold the election within a specified timeframe.

In the presence of senior government officials, diplomats, opposition groups, civil society, and bilateral partners in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya on Thursday, May 16, the South Sudanese government and rebel leaders signed the declaration of commitment to the Tumaini Initiative which means "hope" in Swahili.

This week, Kenya hosted high-level mediation talks initiated by President William Ruto earlier this month, aiming to establish a foundation for lasting peace in South Sudan as well as discuss the modalities of holding general elections scheduled for December.

Conflicts in South Sudan began in December 2013 when President Salva Kiir, from the Dinka ethnic group, accused his former deputy Riek Machar, from the Nuer ethnic group, of attempting a coup. This accusation escalated into violence between soldiers affiliated with each leader.

A peace agreement signed in August 2015 was short-lived after renewed violence. Further negotiations led to another agreement in June 2018, with a pledge to form a unity government.

Despite these peace agreements signed in 2015 and 2018 amidst international sanctions, conflicts in South Sudan have persisted over the years.