In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, two prominent opposition leaders in Cameroon were arrested late Friday, according to their respective parties. Anicet Ekane and Djeukam Tchameni, key figures in the Union for Change political platform, were detained in Douala, the country’s economic hub. The platform had endorsed presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who claims to have defeated incumbent President Paul Biya in the October 12 election. The African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM) also reported that its treasurer and other members were “kidnapped” by security forces, alleging the move was intended to intimidate the populace. The circumstances surrounding the arrests remain unclear. Cameroon’s electoral body is set to announce the final election results on Monday, but opposition supporters have already taken to the streets, warning against potential vote rigging. Protests erupted in Bafoussam, the capital of the West Region, where motorcyclists flooded major roads demanding a transparent electoral process. Earlier in the week, clashes between protesters and security forces in other cities led to multiple arrests and the tragic death of a 30-year-old primary school teacher, Zairatou Hassana, in Garoua. Hassana, who was not involved in the protests, was reportedly checking on her sister when she was killed. Her uncle, Amadou Adji, expressed deep sorrow, stating, ‘Her death makes me keep a bad souvenir of this regime like all other Cameroonians.’ Tchiroma, in a Facebook post, hinted at attempts to arrest him, calling such actions ‘an assault against the entire Cameroonian people’ and urging recognition of the people’s victory.