Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a leading opposition presidential candidate, said Monday that two people had been killed after security forces opened fire on protesters near his home in the northern city of Garoua and called the shootings an act of “blatant impunity.”

Speaking at his residence in Garoua following days of nationwide unrest tied to the disputed Oct. 12 presidential vote, Tchiroma posted that security personnel had fired “point-blank at your own brothers,” and urged continued resistance. “Kill me if you want, but I will liberate this country by any means necessary,” he wrote, adding: “What blatant impunity.”

Tchiroma’s statement came as Cameroon’s Constitutional Council declared incumbent President Paul Biya the winner of the presidential election, a result rejected by Tchiroma and his supporters.

The announcement has been followed by violent clashes in several cities, with other reports saying at least four people were killed in protests in Douala.

There was no immediate comment from government authorities on Tchiroma’s allegation that troops fired on civilians outside his home. Local and international news agencies continue to report arrests and confrontations between protesters and security forces as tensions remain high.

AP/Reuters