Widespread violence has broken out across several cities in Cameroon, barely 24 hours after the Constitutional Council declared 93-year-old President Paul Biya the winner of the country’s contentious presidential election.
Reports indicate that protests quickly descended into chaos, with incidents of arson, looting, and clashes erupting in Douala, Mbouda, Bertoua, and Batouri. Journalists on the ground confirmed that explosions and attacks on property were ongoing, while the central police station in Bertoua was said to be under threat.
In Batouri, demonstrators took to the streets as violent confrontations with security forces intensified. Rumours of Ambazonian separatist activity in Mbanga, Njombé, and Souza further stoked fears, prompting schools to shut down and teachers to send pupils home.
Security forces reportedly used live ammunition, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse crowds. Authorities later recovered several bags of rice that had been looted amid the unrest in Douala.
“What started as peaceful protests has now spiralled into chaos in several cities,” a journalist monitoring the situation told reporters.
As the violence spread, Amnesty International Africa urged the Cameroonian government to uphold the right to peaceful protest and to launch an independent and transparent investigation into reports of civilian deaths.
President Biya, one of the world’s longest-serving leaders, has not yet commented publicly on the post-election unrest.
