Cameroon’s security forces killed 48 civilians while responding to protests against the re-election of President Paul Biya, according to data shared with Reuters on Tuesday by two United Nations sources.
The sources said most of the victims were shot with live ammunition, while others died from injuries sustained after being beaten with batons and sticks.
The government of the 92-year-old Biya the world’s oldest sitting head of state has not released an official death toll, and a spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
Biya was declared winner of the October 12 presidential election with 53.66% of the vote, defeating opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who claimed victory himself. The protests erupted shortly after preliminary results indicated Biya would secure an eighth term in office, extending his rule that began in 1982.
Nearly half of the deaths recorded by the UN occurred in the Littoral region, particularly in the port city of Douala, where protests were most intense. Ten deaths were reported in the North region, home to Garoua, Tchiroma’s hometown. Three members of the gendarmerie also died in Douala, according to the UN data.
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U.S. Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, condemned the Cameroonian government on Tuesday, describing the election as a “sham” and accusing Biya’s administration of persecuting political opponents and unlawfully detaining U.S. citizens.
“Cameroon is not a U.S. partner and poses economic and security risks to the American people. It’s time to reassess this relationship before the blowback gets worse,” Risch said on X.
A civil society organisation, Stand Up for Cameroon, had earlier reported that at least 23 people were killed in last week’s violent crackdown on protesters.
Protests have since eased, though Tchiroma has called for a three-day national lockdown starting Monday to express dissent over the disputed results.
President Biya is expected to be sworn in for another term on Thursday.
