The United Nations warned on Tuesday that escalating restrictions in Cameroon by president Paul Biya raises concerns about voters’ ability to freely choose their candidate in coming presidential elections.
Cameroon’s veteran president, Biya, 92, is seeking a new seven-year term to extend his nearly 43-year rule in elections on October 12.
“A safe and enabling human rights environment is essential for peaceful, inclusive, and credible elections. It regrettably appears that this is not the case in Cameroon,” said UN rights chief Volker Turk.
He encouraged the government to take prompt measures to create an environment favorable to a free and transparent election.
Cameroonian security forces arrested at least 53 opposition supporters last month on charges of public disorder, unlawful assembly, insurrection, and incitement to revolt, according to a UN rights office statement.
He encouraged the government to take prompt measures to create an environment favorable to a free and transparent election.
Cameroonian security forces arrested at least 53 opposition supporters last month on charges of public disorder, unlawful assembly, insurrection, and incitement to revolt, according to a UN rights office statement.
Cameroon’s divided opposition is struggling to challenge Biya, who has been accused by human rights organizations of crushing political opponents.
