Fresh violence has engulfed several cities in Cameroon barely 24 hours after the Constitutional Council declared 93-year-old President Paul Biya the winner of the country’s disputed presidential election.

Naijaonpoint learnt that the announcement has sparked widespread unrest, with incidents of arson, looting, and clashes reported in Douala, Mbouda, Bertoua, and Batouri.

According to Daily Trust, journalists on the ground confirmed that explosions, acts of arson, and looting were ongoing in Douala, Mbouda, and Bertoua. Reports also indicated that the central police station in Bertoua was under threat.

In Batouri, located in the eastern region, protesters occupied the streets as clashes with security forces intensified.

Rumours of Ambazonian separatist presence in Mbanga, Njombé, and Souza further heightened tensions, forcing teachers to send pupils home amid fears of escalation.

Security forces were said to have deployed live ammunition, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse demonstrators. Bags of rice allegedly looted during the unrest in Douala were later recovered by the authorities.

“What started as peaceful protests has now spiralled into chaos in several cities,” one journalist monitoring the situation reported.

Amid the crackdown, Amnesty International Africa called on the Cameroonian government to respect and protect the right to peaceful assembly.

The rights group also demanded a prompt, independent, and impartial investigation into reported deaths during the protests.