Two prominent opposition leaders in Cameroon have been arrested as nationwide protests intensify ahead of the announcement of the presidential election results, expected on Monday.
Those detained late Friday in Douala, the country’s economic hub, include Anicet Ekane and Djeukam Tchameni, senior figures in the Union for Change coalition. The political alliance had backed Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who claims victory over longtime President Paul Biya in the October 12 vote.
The African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM) one of the coalition’s member parties reported that its treasurer and several members were also “kidnapped” by security forces, accusing authorities of attempting to “intimidate Cameroonians.”
The exact circumstances surrounding the arrests remain unclear.
Government Accuses Opposition of Plotting Violence
Paul Atanga Nji, Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, confirmed that multiple arrests had been made during the week. He alleged that those detained were planning violent acts disguised as protests, claiming their goal was to infiltrate peaceful demonstrators and launch terrorist attacks that would then be blamed on security forces.
He did not provide further details or evidence to support the claims.
Protests Erupt Ahead of Election Verdict
The country’s constitutional council is set to declare final election results on Monday, but tensions have escalated as opposition supporters accuse the ruling party of preparing to rig the outcome.
In Bafoussam, capital of the West Region, protesters many of them motorcyclists took to the streets on Saturday, calling for transparent vote counting. Similar demonstrations earlier in the week in other cities led to clashes with security forces, with multiple arrests reported.
Authorities confirmed that one person was killed in the northern city of Garoua. The victim, Zairatou Hassana, a 30-year-old primary school teacher, was not part of the protests and had gone out to look for her sister when she was caught in the unrest, according to her uncle, Amadou Adji.
“Her death leaves me with a painful memory of this regime, as with many Cameroonians,” he said.
Opposition Warns of “Assault on the People”
On Friday, Issa Tchiroma Bakary hinted that authorities were planning to arrest him, describing such a move as “an assault against the entire Cameroonian people.”
“The people are simply asking you to recognise their victory,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
The political standoff underscores deep frustration in Cameroon, where President Paul Biya, 92, has been in power for over four decades. The disputed vote and arrests have further heightened fears of unrest in the Central African nation.
