Cameroon Arrests 20 Amid Ongoing Protests Over Disputed Presidential Election

Cameroonian authorities detained at least 20 people this week as sporadic protests continued across the country days after the Oct. 12 presidential elections, a ballot marred by allegations of fraud and irregularities, the Associated Press reported.

On Tuesday, officials said the arrests took place in the northern city of Garoua, but did not specify how many people in total were detained. They added that 20 of the “several” arrested will be brought before military courts on charges of insurrection and incitement to rebellion.

The detentions came as security forces clashed with demonstrators in Garoua and the capital, Yaoundé, where protesters accused the government of electoral fraud and denounced the likely re-election of incumbent President Paul Biya, Reuters noted.

The unrest follows days of uncertainty and unverified tallies after the vote, which saw the 92-year-old Biya face 11 opposition candidates.

Partial results show that Biya is poised to secure an eighth term in office – he has been in power since 1982. Final results are expected on Oct. 26, with analysts noting that the longtime leader is expected to win as the opposition remained divided and his main rivals were barred from running.

Even so, the main challenger Issa Tchiroma Bakary and civil society groups have rejected the preliminary results, alleging widespread irregularities such as ballot stuffing and outdated electoral registers that still list deceased voters.

Tchiroma had declared himself the winner and published a tally from 18 administrative units on his Facebook page that allegedly confirmed his victory. While his supporters praised the move, Biya and other officials questioned their authenticity and urged voters to remain calm until the results are announced.

The opposition candidate warned that any other outcome could plunge the country into further unrest.

Cameroon, a Central African nation of 30 million, has been grappling with a years-long separatist conflict in its western regions and chronic corruption, which has stifled development despite its rich deposits of oil and mineral resources.