EU Condemns 4 People Died During Paul Biya Demo To Become President Of Cameroon Since 1960

Illustration of police securing. (Valery Tenevoy-Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The European Union (EU) urged all parties to exercise restraint after a bloody demonstration protesting against Paul Biya again becoming President of Cameroon for a period of 8.

"Europe urges all parties to remain restrained and avoid any actions that could exacerbate tensions," EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni said Tuesday, October 28, quoted by AFP.

At least four people have died since demonstrators took to the streets in the African country on Sunday last week. Clashes broke out between opposition protesters and security forces in the capital Douala.

The demonstrators protested that Paul was re-appointed as President of Cameroon. The 92-year-old man's position has been held since 1960.

The demonstration resumed on Monday this week with more mobs even though the local police were tightening security and disbanding demonstrators.

Violence continues after Cameroon's presidential election raises concerns about the potential to escalate unrest in the former French colony in Central Africa.

El Anouni said the EU regretted the "deaths of a number of civilians from firearms".

"EU is also calling for the release of everyone who has been arbitrarily detained since the presidential election," he added.

Paul Biya is known to be Cameroon's 2nd president since Cameroon became independent from France in 1960. He is considered to have ruled with iron, suppressed all political and armed opposition, and defended power amid social upheaval, economic inequality, and separatist violence.