Post-election violence: AU rights commission urges gov’t to free detained protesters.

In a statement released Friday, the continental rights group said, it was closely following the developments in Cameroon following the proclamation of the results of the October 12 presidential election, which declared Biya winner. 

In the outing, the Commission expressed deep concern about the post-election violence and the resulting deterioration of the human rights situation in Cameroon.

The Commission said it was also concerned over reports of confrontations between demonstrators and security forces in several parts of the country. 

The body said it was particularly alarmed by the loss of life resulting from, inter alia, the use of excessive force and the arrest of individuals in the context of efforts to suppress and disperse demonstrators. The Commission noted with concern the recurrent Internet shutdowns during the post-election period. 

It said disabling the means of communication during such periods hinders citizens' rights to exercise their right to freedom of expression and access to information. 

“The Commission condemns the excessive and disproportionate use of force against peaceful demonstrators and acts of vandalism against private property and public property as well as all other human rights violations. It offers its condolences to the bereaved families” the Friday statement then stated.

It continued that: “The Commission calls on the Government of Cameroon to take all necessary measures to end impunity and to ensure that all perpetrators of the acts of violence are prosecuted”.

“The Commission reminds the Government of Cameroon of its obligations to guarantee the fundamental rights of citizens, including the rights to life and physical integrity, liberty, as well as the freedoms of expression, association and assembly as prescribed by the provisions of Articles 4, 6, 9, 10 and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights as well as other relevant regional and international human rights instruments,” the body added, before urging the political class to make every effort to preserve democratic gains and to consolidate national unity. 

It equally called on stakeholders to exercise restraint as well as prioritise dialogue with a view to resolving the situation peacefully, sparing the population from any form of destabilisation and violence, and ensuring full respect for human rights.

In a similar outing, human rights group, Amnesty International, said it was concerned by several deaths recorded during post-election protests in Cameroon.

“We are alarmed by reports that several people have been killed during protests over the outcome of the 12 October presidential election,” the group began.

“We call on the security forces to refrain from use of lethal force, and on the protesters to demonstrate peacefully. The authorities must fully abide by their obligations under international human rights law, and political leaders and their supporters must refrain from violence and hate speech,” it added.

Amnesty International said it was urging authorities to ensure prompt, impartial and effective investigations into all cases of election-related violence, including the use of unnecessary or disproportionate force, and to bring those responsible to justice. The body said fair trial rights and due process for anyone arrested should also be guaranteed.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3614 of Monday November 03, 2025