Civilian deaths spark protests following Biya's election

THE death of a father in Cameroon's coastal city of Douala, who witnesses said was shot dead by a soldier, underscored the fear gripping the country since the contested reelection of President Paul Biya.

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Achille Simo, a 45-year-old father of five, was killed last week amid the chaos following the vote that maintained Biya, 92, in power.

Witnesses said he was shot while visiting a local shop.

“The soldier told him to get off the road. Achille told him, ‘You do your job, we're not in your way’ The captain then shot him pointblank when he had his back turned,’ said Basile Njeumeni Nana, a neighbour who had known Simo for 40 years.

Simo “wasn't even protesting’, said his brother Christian Fokam. “How can one shoot down a civilian who posed no threat?”

Simo’s widow, Elodie Fougue, 39, received condolences from friends and family in their home.