“We live in fear here. It’s been seven days since the military deployment in this neighbourhood. The military sees each of us as potential protesters,” Gisele, an inhabitant of Grand Moulin Quarter tells Mimi Mefo Info Monday, September 21, 2020.
Grand Moulin Quarter in Douala 1 Subdivision, is the seat to of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, CRM party in the Littoral region of Cameroon.
Situated between Government Bilingual High School Deido and CAMTEL Bepanda, the party headquarter is noted for hosting events of the CRM opposition party.
Few hours to the September 22, 2020 nationwide protest called by the CRM party to oust president Paul Biya and his entire regime, government deployment of the military in the area is said to be a calculated attempt to silence any move or manifestations.
“I relocated my two kids and my little niece at the weekend to a different quarter. This is for their safety since no one knows what will happen on the 22 of September,” a lady tells Mimi Mefo Info on the bases of anonymity.
Visiting the CRM Littoral headquarters in Douala September 21st, three military hillux with military men armed to the teeth were seen positioned.
The soldiers are just parading the streets without uttering a word to traders and inhabitants of the area.
At the second floor of the party house, the doors of the office are partly opened though no soul is spotted by reporters from a distance down the street.
Along the street, military vehicles are stationed. Inhabitants say the move is mainly to intimidate anyone who will dare to protest against the close to 40-year rule of president Paul Biya.
As the hours die down to minutes to September 22nd, some inhabitants of the quarter say they will spend the day in their homes to prevent any ugly incident.
Meantime, the governor of the Littoral region has toured police stations, gendarmerie brigades and other security services giving instructions on how to silence any violent move.
By MBATHO NTAN.
