Most of those killed were shot dead, while others died from injuries, UN sources said. Biya’s government, led by the 92-year-old president, has not released an official death toll from the protests, and its spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.

U.S. Senator Jim Risch, representing the state of Idaho and serving as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Tuesday accused Biya’s government of rigging the elections, persecuting opposition members, and unlawfully detaining several U.S. citizens, including some with ties to Idaho.

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“Cameroon is not a partner of the United States and poses a threat to the safety of our citizens,” Risch said. “It is time to reassess our relationship before the consequences become even worse.”

Biya was declared the winner of last week’s election with 53.66% of the vote, while opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary  a former government spokesperson who resigned as minister in June  received 35.19%.

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Tchiroma had declared himself the winner shortly after the October 12 election, prompting widespread protests when early results showed that Biya, in power since 1982, was heading for his eighth term.

A civil society group, Stand Up for Cameroon, had reported last week that at least 23 people were killed by security forces as they dispersed demonstrators.