Cameroon’s opposition leaders rejected presidential election results that extended President Paul Biya’s rule for another seven years, saying the outcome did not reflect the will of the people in a country already battling a separatist conflict.
The central African nation’s constitutional council on Monday declared Biya, 92, as the winner of the disputed vote with over 53% of the ballots, triggering violent protests in several cities in the oil and cocoa producing nation.
The court’s ruling, which is final and cannot be appealed, signals a potentially prolonged post-election standoff.
Issa Tchiroma, Biya’s main challenger, had earlier declared victory and warned he would not accept any other outcome.
His supporters have angrily taken to the streets, clashing with riot police and blocking roads in the commercial capital Douala with burning tires and debris.
The protests killed at least four people over the weekend and two others on Monday, according to the opposition.
There were scattered celebrations in Biya’s strongholds and government ministers held a party.
The usually bustling streets of Douala remained quiet on Tuesday as the first protesters began to gather for another day of demonstrations.
–Reuters–
