Cameroon's opposition calls Biya election win 'fictitious'

DW (English)

Tensions in Cameroon remain high following several days of post-election protests accusing incumbent President Paul Biya of election fraud. The main opposition leader, Issa Tchiroma, called the 92-year-old president's reelection a "fictitious victory."

Transcript

00:00Young men blocking roads and setting fires.

00:04A visible display of anger in Douala.

00:07After poor beer, Cameroon's long-time leader was declared a victor in a highly controversial election.

00:14The Cameroonian people, who had long been afraid, found themselves saying,

00:20this is too much, which is why, everywhere, young people who voted overwhelmingly for change

00:27find themselves forced to start a revolution.

00:31And that's kind of what I see when I look at the cities that are deserted on weekdays.

00:38It wasn't a good idea for those in power, even after 43 years,

00:44to still try to believe that they can get away with it.

00:51Supporters of opposition leader Issa Cheruma say the election was rekt.

00:56With protesters taking to the streets before the resort,

01:00to denounce what they describe as electoral fraud.

01:04Tear gas hanging in the air as police try to disperse the crowds.

01:09Tensions that have lingered in the days since the vote.

01:14We are simply asking the army to withdraw and stand behind us,

01:19because the strength of Cameroon is us, the young people.

01:22It's the people who elect the president.

01:25Now, aged 92, Paul Bia has ruled Cameroon since 1982,

01:31becoming extremely unpopular over the decades in this Central African country.

01:36Many blaming him for the problems the country now faces, as people look to the polls.

01:42For years, Cameroon has been seen as a stable country in an unstable region.

01:48But now, analysts believe if this political tension continues,

01:52it could drag the country to difficult days ahead, if not properly managed.

01:57Dozens of people have been arrested in connection to the protests, and close to 10 people have been killed.

02:04The African Union and the European Union have all raised concerns over the escalating violence.

02:10Issa Cheruma, Bia's main challenger and his supporters say they will not accept the results of the election.

02:18The government has promised to arrest and prosecute him.

02:23More fuel to the fires burning in Cameroon that could lead to further instability across the country.

02:28Not the only year, if the government forsakes according to U.S.

02:40The president has called the American Revolution to create a

02:52jointivision in Cor Pier.

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