The United Nations on Tuesday said growing restrictions in Cameroon surrounding the upcoming presidential elections “raise fears” about whether voters can freely choose their candidate.

President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state at 92, is seeking a new seven-year term to extend his nearly 43 years in power 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.

His Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said rising restrictions were being imposed on opposition activities, with several gatherings banned.

There have also been concerns regarding the exclusion of some political figures from the race, as well as irregularities in voter registration, OHCHR said in a statement.

It also cited reports that opposition candidates and their supporters had been intimidated and threatened.

OHCHR cited an incident on August 7 when Dieudonne Yebga, a former senior member of the opposition African Movement for New Independence and Democracy, was escorted off air by security forces eight minutes into a live television interview.

He is “one of 71” figures who were rejected as presidential candidates in the election, OHCHR spokesman Jeremy Laurence told reporters.

 Call to combat hate speech

Last month, Cameroonian security forces arrested at least 53 opposition supporters, who were accused of public disorder, unlawful assembly, rebellion and incitement to revolt, OHCHR added.

“While it is welcome news that all the 53 opposition supporters have since been released, they simply should not have been arrested in the first place. No one should ever be arrested for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly,” Turk said.

Turk urged the government to take swift action to ensure an environment conducive to a free and transparent election.

“The government should not suppress the essential work of civil society organisations and the media,” he added.

Turk also called for steps to address rising hate speech, disinformation and incitement to violence.

Biya’s health and his capacity to govern have become the subject of debate.

However, the opposition is deeply divided and is struggling to unite behind a single candidate.

AFP