Cameroon: One dead amid rising election tensions

One person has died during demonstrations in the city of Garoua as Cameroon awaited election results on October 21st, according to a report by Africa News via agencies on October 22nd.

The victim was identified as Zouhairatou Hassana, a young teacher who died after she was shot during demonstrations that followed a tense presidential election between President Paul Biya and opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma. Neighbours claim she was shot by a police officer.

On October 20th, candidates declared victory in the election held on October 12th. Although the results have not yet been released, several appeals have already been lodged over allegations of fraud.

Young Cameroonians have reportedly been keeping watch in front of Tchiroma’s house due to fears that he will face arrest after the current government announced measures against any early claims.

Supporters of Tchiroma took to the streets of Maroua on October 10th, as the candidate asserted that the country already has “a system in place that allows us to know exactly who did what within 24 hours after the vote.”

On August 7th, the initial leading opposition leader, Maurice Kamto, was excluded from the election by Cameroon’s Constitutional Court. He was a persistent critic of Biya, whose victory in this election would mark the 92-year-old’s eighth term in office.

Kamto was released from a two-day police stakeout at his home on June 9th, after officers prevented him was leaving his building in Douala to meet his party members on June 8th. He had previously spent nine months in detention for contesting the 2018 election, which he claimed was rigged in favour of Biya, a claim the government denied.

Biya has been the President of Cameroon since 1982, and has faced criticism for his autocratic regime. He has sought to serve another seven-year term, despite his administration facing allegations of corruption, embezzlement, bad governance, and failure to address issues.

Before becoming president, Biya served as the country’s prime minister. He has held this position for 43 years, and an eight-term would lead to 50 years in office; Biya hopes to remain president until he is 100 years old.

In 2008, Biya abolished term limits, allowing him to seek re-election as many times as he wanted. His most recent election win was in 2018, despite opposition groups accusing him of “widespread irregularities.”

It was reported on August 21st that Cameroon’s Constitutional Court received a formal petition from an opposition candidate, Akere Tabeng Muna, who alleged that Biya was ineligible to run under Article 118 of the electoral code. As grounds for disqualification, the petition cited Biya’s advanced age, recurrent health absences and presumed dependency on third parties.

Africa News via agencies, Maghrebi.org