Yaounde: Large parts of Cameroon have come to a standstill this week after opposition groups called for a three-day lockdown to protest the re-election of President Paul Biya. The call, led by opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, came after Biya, 92, was declared the winner of last month’s presidential election, extending his more than four decades in power.

Shops remained closed and streets were unusually quiet in several major cities, including Douala, Garoua and Maroua. Public transport services were limited, and many residents chose to stay indoors as tensions ran high. The lockdown began Monday, with opposition supporters accusing the government of widespread fraud and manipulation during the October 12 election.

According to official results, Biya received 53.66 percent of the vote, while Tchiroma secured about 35.19 percent. The opposition, however, insists that the results were rigged and has called for new elections under international supervision.

The protests have turned deadly in several parts of the country. While the government initially reported four deaths, new figures from United Nations sources suggest that at least 48 people were killed as security forces moved to break up demonstrations. Civil society groups claim that the number could be even higher, with many others injured or detained.

The violence has been most severe in the Littoral region, which includes the country’s commercial hub Douala. Around half of the reported deaths occurred there, with the rest spread across the northern cities of Garoua and Maroua. Security forces have maintained a heavy presence, with roadblocks and patrols set up to prevent further unrest.

The lockdown has also had a serious impact on the economy. Markets and small businesses, which are the backbone of Cameroon’s urban economy, have suffered major losses. Prices of food and essential goods have risen sharply. In Yaoundé, residents said the price of a five-liter bucket of potatoes had more than doubled in just one week. Public transport drivers also reported fuel shortages and low passenger numbers as fear kept people off the streets.

Paul Biya, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, has ruled Cameroon since 1982. His government has faced growing criticism in recent years over corruption, economic stagnation, and its handling of conflicts in the country’s English-speaking regions. Many Cameroonians say the disputed election has deepened the divisions between the government and the opposition.

Opposition leader Tchiroma said the lockdown was a peaceful protest aimed at forcing the government to recognize what he called the “true will of the people.” The government, however, accused the opposition of attempting to destabilize the country and warned that security forces would act firmly against anyone disrupting public order.

The United Nations and the European Union have expressed concern over the rising violence and called for restraint from all sides. Human rights organizations have urged Cameroonian authorities to investigate the reported killings and ensure that security forces respect international law.

Despite the tension, some calm returned to certain parts of the country by Wednesday as the lockdown period ended. However, political observers say the crisis is far from over. With Biya expected to be sworn in for another term later this week, the opposition has vowed to continue peaceful protests until its demands for electoral transparency are met.

As Cameroon struggles to move forward, many citizens fear that the current unrest could further damage an already fragile economy and deepen the mistrust between the people and the state. For now, the streets may be quiet, but the political tension remains loud across the nation.