Maroua, Cameroon — A worsening domestic gas shortage has plunged the city of Maroua into chaos, leaving families and small businesses struggling to cope. For several days now, residents of the Far North regional capital have been waking up before dawn — or spending the night outside gas depots — clutching empty cylinders in hopes of restocking.
By 5 a.m., lines already stretch for dozens of meters, winding around streets as desperation grows.
“I have slept outside the depot for two nights now,” said Aissatou Mahamat, mother of three. “If I don’t get gas, my children don’t eat. We are exhausted.”
Gas Prices Skyrocket on Black Market
While official depots run dry, the price of domestic gas is soaring in informal markets. Many residents say they can no longer afford the cylinders being sold at inflated rates.
“A bottle that used to cost 6,500 FCFA is now sold at 9,000 — even 10,000 FCFA,” complained Abdoulaye, a roadside food vendor forced to shut down his grill. “How do we survive like this? We depend on gas to work.”
The shortage has disrupted cooking and business operations, forcing households to resort to charcoal or wood despite health and environmental concerns.
Supply Disruptions Linked to “Ghost Town” Announcement
Local sources tell MMI that the crisis is tied to fears surrounding the planned “Ghost Town” days — from November 30 to December 2 — which are expected to disrupt transportation and logistics in the Far North. Gas delivery trucks have reduced or suspended operations, exacerbating an already fragile supply chain.
Authorities have not publicly acknowledged a direct connection, but residents believe the announcement worsened the crisis.
City Under Pressure
Across Maroua’s neighborhoods, tensions are escalating as people scramble for fuel. Social and economic activity has slowed dramatically, with restaurants, bars, and even roadside food stalls operating below capacity or temporarily closed.
“We spend the whole day waiting in line and go back home with nothing,” said a frustrated resident in Doualaré. “We are losing hope.”
Those living in the outskirts, far from major depots, are the worst affected. Many say that unless gas supply resumes quickly, food insecurity and household hardship will intensify.
Calls for Government Action
Residents are urging the government and local authorities to intervene before the situation spirals further.
“We need urgent action,” said a youth leader in Hardé. “A family cannot function without the ability to cook. This is a human dignity issue.”
For now, Maroua is operating on rumors — whispers of new deliveries — and the constant fear of returning home empty-handed as the crisis deepens.
