Cameroon’s opposition leader, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has vowed to “resist until the final victory” against President Paul Biya, urging supporters to remain mobilised as civil society groups reported deaths and mass arrests following days of violent protests across major cities.
Biya, 92, the world’s oldest sitting head of state, has ruled Cameroon since 1982. His victory in the 12 October presidential election, announced on Monday, has deepened political tensions in the cocoa- and oil-rich Central African nation, where opponents accuse him of using state institutions to perpetuate his rule.
On Wednesday morning, Tchiroma’s supporters again took to the streets of Douala, the country’s economic hub, which still bore the scars of unrest debris and burnt tyres littered the roads after days of clashes with security forces.
According to the civil society group Stand Up for Cameroon, at least 23 people have been killed since the weekend as security forces cracked down on protesters. The group also reported “inhumane” detention conditions for those arrested, alleging that many detainees had suffered bruises, swollen faces, and other signs of mistreatment. Reuters could not independently verify these claims, and government officials have yet to comment.
“The truth of the ballot is clear. We won this election by a large majority. This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to the Cameroonian people,” Tchiroma declared in a televised address late Tuesday, his first since the Constitutional Council confirmed Biya’s win. “We remain united, mobilised, and will continue to resist until the final victory.”
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The Constitutional Council’s decision is final and not subject to appeal, effectively ending legal challenges to the result. Other opposition leaders have alleged widespread fraud, claims the government has rejected.
In response, Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji accused Tchiroma of inciting violence and civil unrest after “prematurely declaring himself president” on 13 October. “This irresponsible candidate, driven by the desire to disrupt public order, issued repeated calls on social media inciting civil rebellion,” Nji said in a statement.
He alleged that “small groups, often under the influence of drugs,” had looted shops and set fire to public buildings, though he provided no evidence for the claim. Nji added that several security personnel had been injured, while “attackers” were killed during clashes.
A video circulating on social media appeared to show security forces loading a lifeless body onto a military truck, as protesters chanted, “Give back the corpse.” Reuters could not verify the authenticity of the footage.
Regional authorities in Douala said more than 200 people had been arrested in connection with the unrest. Despite a heavy security presence, some businesses began reopening on Wednesday, though traffic in parts of the city remained sparse.
