Two Cameroonian opposition figures, supporters of presidential hopeful Issa Tchiroma Bakary, have been arrested following the country’s contested presidential vote. This development comes amidst heightened tensions, with Tchiroma declaring himself the winner of the election, challenging the decades-long rule of incumbent President Paul Biya. Biya, 92, has been in power since 1982, winning every election in the past 20 years with over 70% of the vote. However, Tchiroma generated unexpected enthusiasm among voters, and his supporters are now facing the consequences of their activism.
The arrests are part of a broader crackdown on opposition voices, with several opposition candidates, including prominent figure Maurice Kamto, being barred from contesting the election. Kamto, who finished second to Biya in the 2018 presidential election, was disqualified by the electoral commission, Elecam, sparking outrage among his supporters. The situation is volatile, with fears of unrest and civil disobedience growing by the day. Tchiroma has urged the government to respect the will of the people and warned of consequences if the election results are not acknowledged.
