Tons of of protesters have clashed with safety forces in a number of cities throughout Cameroon, a day earlier than the ends in a highly-contested presidential election are because of be introduced.
Police fired tear fuel and water cannons on the supporters of opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary in his stronghold of Garoua, a metropolis within the north of the nation.
The protesters had been denouncing what they stated was a plan by the ruling get together, the Cameroon Individuals’s Democratic Motion (CPDM), to “steal the victory” from the opposition chief.
Tchiroma Bakary has insisted that he gained the presidential election held on 12 October, difficult incumbent President Paul Biya’s 43-year-old maintain on energy. The CPDM get together has dismissed the claims.
The demonstrations come after Tchiroma Bakary known as on his supporters within the nation and the diaspora to march peacefully to “liberate Cameroon”.
Authorities have banned gatherings till Monday, when Cameroon’s constitutional council is ready to announce the outcomes.
In Garoua, the demonstrations started peacefully however shortly turned rowdy when safety forces threw teargas on the streets to disperse the a whole bunch of those that had gathered in assist of Tchiroma Bakary.
“We aren’t right here for dysfunction. We’re demanding the reality of the poll,” a placard learn.
One protester was seen carrying a banner urging US President Donald Trump to assist them.
“We’re right here to assert our victory. We’re making a peaceable march, which is a civil proper for all Cameroonians – for everybody,” one other protester stated.
Supporters additionally took to the streets within the south-western metropolis of Douala. “We wish Tchiroma, we wish Tchiroma,” protesters chanted, Reuters information company stories.
Tchiroma Bakary beforehand informed the BBC that he wouldn’t settle for a stolen vote.
He stated his workforce had compiled the general image based mostly on outcomes from particular person polling stations.
In a video assertion posted on social media, Tchiroma Bakary stated he had gained the election with about 55% of the vote, based mostly on what he stated had been returns representing 80% of the voters.
The 76-year-old former authorities minister broke ranks with Biya, 92, who’s searching for one other time period after 43 years in energy.
CPDM has dismissed Tchiroma Bakary’s victory claims and several other officers have described it as unlawful as a result of solely the constitutional council can proclaim official outcomes.
Opposition supporters have alleged that the 12 October ballot was marred by irregularities, together with ballot-stuffing.
Judges on the constitutional council dismissed eight petitions, citing inadequate proof of irregularities or a scarcity of jurisdiction to annul outcomes.
Tchiroma Bakary refused to file complaints with the council, whose judges have been appointed by Biya, selecting as a substitute to declare himself the “authorized and legit president”.
Born in Garoua, Tchiroma Bakary skilled as an engineer in France earlier than returning to Cameroon to work for the nationwide railway firm.
In 1984, he was thrown in jail, accused of being concerned in an try to depose President Biya. Regardless of denying the allegation and by no means being convicted, Tchiroma Bakary spent six years in jail.
He additionally served as communications minister from 2009 to 2019.
On this function and because the authorities’s spokesperson, he resolutely defended Biya’s authorities throughout crises such because the Boko Haram insurgency, when the military was accused of killing civilians.
However in June, simply 4 months earlier than the final election, Tchiroma Bakary modified course dramatically, resigning from the federal government and saying he would run in opposition to Biya for the presidency.