Cameroonian security forces killed 48 civilians during protests against the re-election of President Paul Biya, according to information shared with Reuters on Tuesday by two sources at the United Nations.
United Nations data showed that most of the victims were killed by bullets, while a number of others died after being beaten with batons and sticks.
The Cameroonian government has not published any official figures on the number of deaths. The official government spokesman did not respond ReutersRequested for comment Tuesday.
President Biya, who has ruled the country since 1982, was declared the winner of the elections held last week with 53.66 percent of the votes. Opposition candidate Issa Chiroma Bakari, a former government minister who resigned in June, received 35.19 percent of the votes.
Chiroma rejected the result and declared victory shortly after the vote on 12 October. Protests erupted in several parts of the country after preliminary results showed that Biya was on track to win an eighth term in office.
Civil society group Stand Up for Cameroon said last week that at least 23 people had been killed during the crackdown.
Nearly half of the deaths recorded by the United Nations occurred in the coastal region, which includes the port city of Douala, the epicenter of last week’s protests. According to UN data, three gendarmes also died in Douala.
Ten deaths were reported in the northern region, whose capital, Jaroua, is Chiroma’s birthplace.
The protests have largely calmed down this week. Chiroma called for a three-day national lockdown starting Monday, urging his supporters to stay home and suspend activities in protest against the election results.
President Biya is expected to be sworn in on Thursday.
(tags for translation) Paul Biya
