The city of Yaounde, hosting Cameroon’s two major political rivals, President Paul Biya and Maurice Kamto, was relatively calm this night.
But at Kamto’s residence, there was tension between his supporters and security agents. The country’s key opposition leader has called for a nationwide protest on this September 22nd, to pave the way for a political transition in Cameroon.
Before nightfall there was an unusual atmosphere in Yaounde. A reduction in the number of military presence on the streets was observed. A reporter who toured round the city pondered, if it was a strategy.
“I wonder what is going on. All the security officials deployed since last week at Central Post Office have curiously disappeared tonight. I just went through there. Just a police pick up and barely two police officers while even on ordinary days we can find many of them,” wrote the reporter.
Will MINDEF let the people have their way?
The Ministry of defence, says it will not shoot at civilians, Mimi Mefo Info has learned. But that promise remains to be seen, as communication minister in a late night press conference said the protest was illegal, an attack on institutions of the republic.
Other opposition leaders have, despite the threats, backed the protest. But will they take to the streets today?
Time will tell!
Mimi Mefo Info