A tragic scene unfolded in Garoua on Tuesday as a young teacher lost her life after being shot during violent demonstrations. The fatal bullet was reportedly fired by a police officer, according to witnesses. Meanwhile, tensions between President Paul Biya and opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma have reached alarming new heights.
Zouhairatou Hassana has become the first casualty of the post-election unrest in Cameroon. The young educator was killed during the protests that erupted in Garoua following a highly contested presidential election. Neighbours claim she was shot by a police officer amid the chaos.
The country remains on edge as it awaits the official election results, expected to be released on Thursday, October 23.
According to Cameroon’s national election commission, preliminary figures show President Paul Biya, Africa’s oldest and one of its longest-serving leaders, in the lead with just over 53% of the votes, while his main challenger, Issa Tchiroma, secured 35.19%.
Exclusive reports from Jeune Afrique, a Francophone magazine, reveal that President Biya allegedly offered Tchiroma the post of Prime Minister before the final results were made public, an offer Tchiroma reportedly declined.
Instead, the opposition candidate has questioned the credibility of the announced results, expressing serious doubts about the authenticity of the commission’s numbers.
Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982, continues to face strong criticism for his authoritarian leadership and his relentless grip on power, as the nation struggles through yet another period of political unrest.
