SDF says government prohibition of Douala gathering is provocation, violation of freedoms

Cameroon’s Social Democratic Front, SDF party has decried administrative action taken to stop a meeting of the party that was planned to take place today in Bonaloka, Douala III.

According to Hon. Jean Michel Nintcheu
Littoral Regional President of the SDF, the ban is a demonstration of double standards by the government. To him, it comes as “an unprecedented act of provocation” on the eve of the February 9 municipal and legislative elections.

The “attack on fundamental freedoms in particular the freedom to express oneself and the freedom to demonstrate” Hon Nintcheu adds will not go unanswered.

The planned SDF rally by banned earlier today by the Divisional Officer for Douala III who stated that it posed a “threat of disturbance to public order”.

To the SDF, the prohibition order was signed on the same day as the planned rally (December 28), in violation of the law.

The prohibition of political activities in the country is not a new phenomenon. Around the 2018 presidential elections, several opposition political activities were prohibited. Several MRC militants including the party president were later arrested and held in detention facilities across the nation for violating the prohibitions.

With the SDF being the main opposition party contesting in the February 9 elections, many fear the prohibition of her activities is an attempt to instigate fear and can spark clashes between its militants and the forces of law and order.