Concordant video footage has emerged showing at least three bodies lying in front of the Gendarmerie Brigade in Nkoulouloun, one of the restive neighbourhoods in Cameroon’s economic capital, Douala. The victims, who have not yet been identified, were reportedly shot dead by security forces.
In retaliation, demonstrators beat up a gendarme officer, apparently abandoned by his colleagues and set ablaze vehicles belonging to security forces. Unconfirmed reports suggest that additional demonstrators may have been killed. Tires and other makeshift structures were set ablaze on the tarmac in different parts of the city.
The killings in Douala, followed nationwide demonstrations on Sunday, October 26, called by Issa Tchiroma, President of the Cameroon National Salvation Front (CNSF) party, who urged his supporters to peacefully defend their votes. After the October 12 presidential elections, he declared himself the winner, defeating incumbent Paul Biya and daring the electoral body or any authority to prove him wrong.
Two major cities have so far been greatly affected by the wave of protests. In Douala, unrest has been reported in Terminus, Ndokoti, Total Kosam, New-Bell, and other neighbourhoods. In New-Bell, angry demonstrators pulled down giant campaign portraits of President Paul Biya. Three protesters were reportedly shot dead in the Nkoulouloun area of Douala.
In Total Kosam, protesters overpowered and “captured” a gendarmerie water-cannon truck without setting it on fire. Security forces were forced to pull back in parts of Douala, including areas near the airport, allowing crowds to pass.
In Tchiroma’s hometown of Garoua, protesters chanted anti-regime slogans — including “Goodbye Paul Biya, Tchiroma is arriving” and “Paul Biya Free Cameroon” — and clashed with security forces. Several demonstrators said they were no longer afraid of authorities and the security forces. Placards demanding “the truth of the ballots” were visible as crowds moved toward the governor’s offices and the local Lamido.
Protests have also been reported in Buea (Southwest Region), Bafoussam and Bafang (West Region), Bertoua (East), and the Adamawa, North, and Far North regions. In most cases, security forces used water cannons to disperse thousands of demonstrators.
By contrast, images and footage from the capital, Yaoundé, show residents going about their daily business, with a relatively calm city center. So far, there have been no reports of protests from the North West and South regions
London protests
In the diaspora, a group of protesters in London demonstrated outside Cameroon’s High Commission, denouncing the regime for deception, intimidation, and arrogance. Speakers at the rally criticized the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji’s rhetoric and called for recognition of the vote for Issa Tchiroma.
The demonstrations are occurring amid reports of abductions and arrests of political leaders and civil society activists, as well as administrative restrictions. They come on the eve of the official proclamation of the October election results. The government has not made any statements about the ongoing post electoral unrests.
