Ofure Akhigbe
Cameroon’s opposition continues to contest the results of the recent presidential election. Presidential runner-up Issa Tchiroma Bakary on Sunday gave authorities a 48-hour ultimatum to release all prisoners arrested during protests following the re-election of President Paul Biya.
In a video posted on social media, Tchiroma Bakary accused the government of “state gangsterism and state terrorism” and urged authorities to halt practices he described as “ethnic purges.”
“The Cameroonian people no longer want them, the Cameroonian people can no longer tolerate them,” Tchiroma Bakary said.
Tchiroma Bakary secured 35.19% of the vote in the presidential election, finishing behind Biya, who received 53.66% according to official results. However, the opposition leader considers himself the president-elect of Cameroon.
Tchiroma Bakary is believed to have left Cameroon for Nigeria shortly after the election. From there, he has continued to call on Cameroonians to protest alleged electoral fraud, including through “ghost town” demonstrations.
Cameroonian security forces reportedly killed 48 people during the post-election crackdown, according to a Reuters report citing UN sources. The government, however, maintains that at least five people died.
Paul Biya was officially sworn in on Thursday and called for an end to violence.
“I appeal to everyone’s sense of responsibility. I’m addressing all those who are working to incite hatred and violence in our country, particularly some of our compatriots in the diaspora,” Biya said.
“Cameroon does not need a post-election crisis with potentially dramatic consequences, as has been seen elsewhere.”
If his ultimatum is not respected, Tchiroma Bakary warned that Cameroonians “will feel free not only to protect themselves but also to do everything possible to protect their children and recover them wherever they are.”