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Cameroon’s security forces reportedly killed at least 48 civilians while responding to demonstrations against President Paul Biya’s re-election, as shared with Reuters by two U.N. sources on Tuesday.
Most victims were shot with live ammunition, although some succumbed to injuries from being attacked with batons and sticks, according to the sources. The government has not released a death toll from the protests.
Biya was declared the winner of the election last week, garnering 53.66% of the votes compared to 35.19% for opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former government spokesperson who stepped down from his ministerial role in June. Biya is expected to take the oath of office on Thursday.
Tchiroma claimed victory shortly after the October 12 election, which sparked protests in various areas as initial results indicated that Biya, in power since 1982, would secure an eighth term.
A civil society organisation named Stand Up for Cameroon reported last week that at least 23 individuals had died due to the security forces’ crackdown on protesters. Nearly half of the fatalities noted by the U.N. took place in the Littoral region of Cameroon, where the port city of Douala saw the most intense protests related to the election last week.
According to U.N. data, three gendarmes also lost their lives in Douala. Ten deaths were documented in the North region, where Garoua, Tchiroma’s hometown, serves as the capital.
Protests have reduced this week. Tchiroma has called for a three-day national lockdown beginning Monday, encouraging supporters to halt activities and stay home to express their discontent with the election results.
