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In a contentious decision, Cameroon’s Constitutional Council has declared Paul Biya, the 85-year-old incumbent, the winner of the recent presidential election—extending his 36-year rule. The announcement has triggered violent protests nationwide, leaving at least three dead and dozens injured. Opposition leaders reject the results, citing widespread fraud, while security forces respond with tear gas and live fire.
Election Results and Fraud Allegations
Biya secured 71.3% of the vote, while his main rival, Maurice Kamto of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), trailed with just 14.2%. Kamto and other opposition figures have denounced the results as rigged, pointing to:
– Voter intimidation
– Ballot stuffing
– Exclusion of opposition monitors in key regions
“This is a parody of an election,” Kamto stated. “The people’s voices have been stolen.”
International observers, including the African Union and European Union, flagged transparency concerns. The government, however, insists the election was free and fair.
Why Protests Turned Deadly
Within hours of the results, crowds flooded the streets of Yaoundé, Douala, and Bamenda, demanding fresh elections. Demonstrators set tires ablaze and clashed with police, who responded with live ammunition.
Witnesses report excessive force, with at least three fatalities in Douala. Videos of police brutality have gone viral, fueling further anger. Analysts say the crackdown mirrors Biya’s long history of suppressing dissent.
Anglophone Crisis Fuels Unrest
The election deepened tensions in English-speaking regions, where separatists boycotted the vote, citing marginalization by the Francophone-led government. Rebels had warned against holding elections, leading to low turnout and violence.
Biya’s victory has reinvigorated separatist movements, with leaders vowing to escalate their fight for independence.
What’s Next for Cameroon?
With Biya’s seven-year term secured, the crisis is far from over:
– Opposition leader Kamto calls for civil disobedience.
– Rights groups demand independent investigations into fraud and police violence.
– Economists warn of deepening instability, given Cameroon’s economic struggles and refugee influx.
As protests rage, the world watches to see if Biya will negotiate or intensify repression.
Stay updated with NextMinuteNews for breaking developments.
