Massive protests erupt in Cameroon as country awaits results of presidential election

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - Fresh protests erupted Sunday in Cameroon's economic capital Douala and other towns against President Paul Biya’s government over alleged presidential election fraud.

Photos and footage widely shared on social media showed protestors demanding the departure of Biya, 92, who has ruled the Central African country for over four decades.

Chanting "We want Tchiroma. Respect the truth of the ballot box,” the protestors called on the government to “recognize the victory of Issa Tchiroma Bakary,” an opposition candidate who claims he won the country’s presidential election held on Oct. 12.

Videos on social media showed protestors burning tires and effigies of President Biya on barricaded roads.

Tchiroma claimed a “landslide victory” two days after the polls and appealed to Biya to concede. But the governing party and the election body dismissed the claims.

He called Sunday’s protests against the Biya government, further heightening post-election tensions.

Local reports said four people were killed in the cities of Douala and Ngaoundere during clashes with security forces.

The official toll has yet to be announced by the authorities.

In a video posted on social networks Tchiroma, 79, a former minister in Biya’s government, said an attempt to kidnap him from his home ahead of the declaration of the results of the presidential election was thwarted by his supporters.

Tensions have been mounting since the election, the results of which are expected to be announced by the Constitutional Council on Monday.

Last week, police reportedly opened fire, killing one person, as they dispersed protests in Garoua, Tchiroma’s hometown in the far north region.

Similar protests were witnessed in the capital, Yaounde, as well as other northern region towns such as Maroua.

Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji in a statement last week said 20 people were arrested in connection with the protests and they will be prosecuted on charges of insurrection and incitement of rebellion.