标签： Africa

DOUALA, Cameroon — Several cities in Cameroon remained eerily quiet on Tuesday following a call by the main opposition leader for citizens to stay home in protest against the recent election victory of 92-year-old President Paul Biya. The three-day lockdown, which commenced on Monday, primarily affected key opposition strongholds, including the economic hub of Douala and northern cities like Maroua and Garoua, where deadly protests have erupted in recent days. While partial compliance was observed in the capital, Yaoundé, many businesses continued operations as usual. President Biya, the world’s oldest head of state, secured his eighth term in the October 12 election, according to official results. However, main opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary has contested the outcome, claiming victory and urging Cameroonians to reject the official results. In his appeal for the lockdown, Tchiroma stated, “Let us keep our shops closed, suspend our activities, remain at home in silence, to demonstrate our solidarity.” The lockdown has inflicted significant economic hardship, with businesses and offices shuttered and intercity transport services halted. Residents like Amadou Adji of Garoua, whose niece was killed during the protests, expressed support for the lockdown, calling it a form of solidarity with Tchiroma. Meanwhile, food seller Caroline Akuh in Douala lamented the financial strain on her family, stating, “We are afraid to step out … we are tired of this.” In Yaoundé, the price of a 5-liter bucket of potatoes surged from $3.50 to $8.78 in less than a week, reflecting the economic toll of the unrest. Celestin Mimba, a resident of the capital, noted, “Prices have gone up in ways no one anticipated.” The lockdown follows widespread protests by opposition supporters and clashes with security forces, resulting in casualties. Authorities confirmed four deaths in northern protests, while the Stand Up For Cameroon civil society group reported at least 23 fatalities. Cameroonian officials have condemned the protests, accusing the opposition of attempting to destabilize law and order.

Tanzania’s political landscape remains tense as President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in on Monday following a contentious election marred by violence and allegations of electoral malpractice. The election, which saw Hassan declared the winner with an overwhelming 98% of the vote, has been criticized by regional observers for failing to meet democratic standards. The Southern African Development Community (Sadc) highlighted significant shortcomings in the electoral process. The unrest led to a nationwide internet shutdown, closure of schools and businesses, and a curfew in Dar es Salaam, which was lifted on Monday as life began to return to normal. However, the aftermath of the protests continues to haunt the nation, with families searching for missing loved ones and mourning those killed in clashes between security forces and opposition supporters. Opposition leaders Tundu Lissu and Luhaga Mpina were barred from contesting the election, further fueling allegations of a rigged process. Reports from human rights organizations and diplomatic sources suggest that hundreds of people may have died in the violence, though the government has not released official casualty figures. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned the use of excessive force by authorities, urging accountability for those responsible. President Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 as Tanzania’s first female president, acknowledged the loss of lives and property damage during her inauguration but attributed some of the unrest to foreign nationals. Despite initial hopes for political reform under her leadership, the narrowing of political freedoms has raised concerns about the country’s democratic trajectory.