The Divisional Officer of Douala II has rejected a declaration for a protest tabled by the Youth Wing of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM Douala II Section. The protest was planned for Tuesday, September 22 to counter that of Professor Maurice Kamto, leader of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, CRM.
In a decision signed Thursday, September 17, 2020 by the Divisional Officer, Dr. Bidja Didier says the pretext of the CPDM manifestation aimed at counteracting those who want to protest against the president is not valid.
To the D.O, all protests from political parties , groups of persons or individual are prohibited in Douala II.
The release adds that all public manifestations have been banned in the Littoral Region during this period.
On the issue of those who will go against the instructions, the civil administrator says they will face the wrath of the administration.
The decision of the D.O. of Douala II has been welcomed with mixed feelings.
According to Njipta Fabrice, the divisional officer ought to have assigned security forces to guard the protesters while allowing these Cameroonians to exercise their fundamental rights.
To other observers, authorities have long banned public manifestations to prevent the CRM party from calling for the resignation of president Paul Biya and thus it should be applicable to all political parties with CPDM not being an exception.
As the countdown to September 22nd, day of the nationwide CRM manifestation, government is leaving no stone unturned to silence the protest and maintain the administrative status quo that has been in place for close to four decades.
By Mbatho Ntan.
