BRUSSELS: The EU said Tuesday it was “deeply concerned” about the violent repression of protests that rocked Cameroon after a disputed presidential vote and urged authorities to release all those arbitrarily detained.
At least four people have been killed in the African nation since demonstrators took to the streets to protest the announcement that Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state, had secured an eighth term in office.
“The European Union urges all sides to maintain restraint and refrain from any action that may further exacerbate tensions,” the bloc’s foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni said.
Violence in the aftermath of the closer-than-expected ballot has raised fears that the unrest could escalate in the former French colony in central Africa.
On Sunday, four people were killed in clashes between security forces and supporters of the opposition in the economic capital Douala, according to the region’s governor.
