The African Union congratulated 92-year-old President Paul Biya on winning an eighth term in Cameroon’s October 12 elections, though it condemned the response to protests against the results that left at least four people dead.
AU chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf "is gravely concerned about the reported violence, repression and arrests of protesters and political actors in connection with the election results", the organisation said in a statement on social media.
“He urges the Cameroonian authorities to accord topmost priority to inclusive national dialogue and consultation with all political stakeholders in order to reach consensus in the spirit of national unity, peace and collective security,” it added.
Cameroon's government on Tuesday acknowledged that people had died during the protests but blamed the opposition leader for the deaths.
Four people have been reported killed in the central African nation since demonstrators took to the streets to protest the announcement that Biya, in office since 1982, had secured an eighth term in elections this month.
Opposition claims victory
Former government minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary insists that he won the vote, and hundreds have heeded his call to rally in several Cameroonian cities in the wake of the vote, with police breaking up the sporadic and limited protests.
"Illegal demonstrations have resulted in loss of life and the destruction of public and private property," Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji told a press conference, without giving further details.
Blaming Tchiroma's "repeated calls for insurrection", he alleged that the ex-minister's "supporters organised violent demonstrations".
This led to fires, pillaging and looting in several cities, including Dschang in the west, Ngon in central Cameroon, and Guider and Garoua in the north, he claimed.
"During these criminal attacks... some of the attackers lost their lives," Atanga Nji said.
Investigations opened
An investigation had been opened into the opposition leader as he "has committed several offences punishable by our laws", the minister added.
Several members of the security forces were "grievously wounded" in clashes with protesters, he said.
