At least 48 civilians have been killed by Cameroonian security forces during protests against the re-election of President Paul Biya, according to data obtained by Reuters from two United Nations sources on Tuesday.
The sources said most of the victims were shot dead with live ammunition, while others died from injuries sustained after being beaten with batons and sticks. The Cameroonian government has not released an official death toll, and a government spokesperson declined to comment on the reports.
Biya, 92, was declared the winner of the October 12 presidential election with 53.66% of the votes, defeating opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who polled 35.19%. Tchiroma, a former government spokesperson who resigned from cabinet in June, rejected the results and declared himself the true winner, triggering widespread protests.
Demonstrations erupted across several regions last week as early results indicated that Biya, who has ruled since 1982, was headed for an eighth term in office.
Civil society group Stand Up for Cameroon had earlier reported 23 deaths from the government’s crackdown, but the UN’s updated figures show a significantly higher toll.
Nearly half of the fatalities occurred in the Littoral region, which includes Douala, the country’s commercial hub and the centre of the unrest. Three gendarmes were also reportedly killed in Douala, according to UN sources. In the North region home to Tchiroma’s hometown of Garoua 10 more civilian deaths were recorded.
Although the protests have largely subsided, tensions remain high. Tchiroma has called for a three-day national lockdown starting Monday, urging citizens to stay indoors in peaceful protest against what he described as a stolen mandate.
International criticism of the election and the government’s response is growing. US Senator Jim Risch, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, condemned the vote as a “sham,” accusing Biya’s administration of persecuting opposition figures and unlawfully detaining American citizens, including some from his home state of Idaho.
“Cameroon is not a US partner and poses economic and security risks to the American people,” Risch wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “It’s time to reassess this relationship before the blowback gets worse.”
Despite mounting condemnation and calls for international scrutiny, President Biya the world’s oldest sitting head of state is expected to be sworn in for another term on Thursday.
