CAMEROON: PROTESTERS CALL FOR THE RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT BIYA, DESPITE GOVERNMENT'S THREATS
Cameroonians on Tuesday, September 23 led a protest calling for the resignation of President Paul Biya who has ruled the country for over 37 years.
The protests began in Ndokoti, and spread to other parts of Douala, Camtel Bepanda, Bafang, Baham, and the west region of Cameroon.
Videos on social media captured protesters singing and calling for the resignation of Paul Biya.
Online videos also showed that the police used tear-gas and water cannons to disperse the protests.
OPPOSITION LEADER MAURICE KAMTO, JOURNALISTS ARRESTED
The initiator of Tuesday's protest, Prof. Maurice Kamto, who is also the national chairman of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement Party CRM, was noticeably absent from the protests.
Speculations abound that he has been placed on house arrest as security operatives have been stationed in his home since Monday, September 21.
Kamto called for protests against President Biya's decree that regional elections must hold on December 16 across Cameroon, including restive regions.
"We want to get out of the dictatorship regime that stifles our country through peaceful struggle, we must no longer accept being the object of ridicule of other Africans. If the time has come when she arrived," Maurice Kamto said on August 24, during a press conference in Yaoundé.
READ ALSO: CAMEROON TO HOLD FIRST REGIONAL ELECTIONS IN DECEMBER
In addition to Kamto, reports say security forces also arrested at least two journalists covering the protests as well as some of the protesters.
Sources say police arrested one of the journalists identified as Lindovi Njio for coming too close. According to the report, Njio was picked up while trying to cover events happening in Kamto's home despite presenting documents that show he is a journalist.
Responding to the call for protests, Cameroon authorities on September 11 banned public meetings and demonstrations indefinitely.
Paul Atanga Nji, the Territorial Administration Minister, urged governor's to arrest anyone organising or leading protests citing COVID 19 concerns.
The Cameroon government had warned that illegal demonstrations would be punished under the country's anti-terror act and protests could be considered as an act of insurrection.
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