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Ahead of the anticipated announcement of results from a highly contested presidential election, clashes have erupted between security forces and hundreds of protesters in multiple Cameroonian cities.
In Garoua, a northern stronghold, police deployed tear gas and water cannons against supporters of opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary.
Protesters voiced their condemnation of what they alleged was a scheme by the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) to “steal the victory” from the opposition leader.
Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he won the presidential election held on October 12, challenging incumbent President Paul Biya’s 43-year grip on power. The CPDM party has refuted these claims.
The demonstrations followed a call from Tchiroma Bakary to his supporters, both within the country and in the diaspora, to peacefully march and “liberate Cameroon.”
Authorities have imposed a ban on gatherings until Monday, when Cameroon’s constitutional council is scheduled to announce the official election results.
In Garoua, while the demonstrations initially began peacefully, tensions escalated as security forces deployed tear gas to disperse the hundreds who had gathered to support Tchiroma Bakary.
“We are not here for disorder. We’re demanding the truth of the ballot,” read one demonstrator’s placard.
One protester was observed carrying a banner appealing for assistance from US President Donald Trump.
“We are here to claim our victory. We are making a peaceful march, which is a civil right for all Cameroonians – for everyone,” another protester stated.
Supporters also took to the streets in Douala, a city in the southwest. Reuters news agency reported protesters chanting, “We want Tchiroma, we want Tchiroma.”
Tchiroma Bakary previously told the BBC that he would not accept a stolen vote.
He stated that his team had compiled a comprehensive overview based on results from individual polling stations.
In a video statement shared on social media, Tchiroma Bakary asserted that he had won the election with approximately 55% of the vote, based on what he described as returns representing 80% of the electorate.
The 76-year-old former government minister broke ranks with Biya, 92, who is seeking another term after 43 years in office.
The CPDM has dismissed Tchiroma Bakary’s claims of victory, with several officials describing them as illegitimate, as only the constitutional council is authorized to declare official results.
Opposition supporters have alleged that the October 12 poll was marred by irregularities, including ballot-stuffing.
Judges on the constitutional council dismissed eight petitions, citing insufficient evidence of irregularities or a lack of jurisdiction to annul results.
Tchiroma Bakary declined to file complaints with the council, whose judges have been appointed by Biya, choosing instead to declare himself the “legal and legitimate president.”
Born in Garoua, Tchiroma Bakary trained as an engineer in France before returning to Cameroon to work for the national railway company.
In 1984, he was imprisoned after being accused of involvement in an attempt to depose President Biya. Despite denying the allegation and never being convicted, Tchiroma Bakary spent six years in prison.
He also served as communications minister from 2009 to 2019.
In this capacity, and as the government’s spokesperson, he steadfastly defended Biya’s government during crises such as the Boko Haram insurgency, when the army faced accusations of killing civilians.
However, in June, just four months prior to the general election, Tchiroma Bakary dramatically shifted course, resigning from the government and announcing his candidacy against Biya for the presidency.
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