By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Cameroonian opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary on Friday announced a new plan of action after the highly contentious presidential election in which the longterm leader, Paul Biya was declared winner.
Bakary in an audio message posted early hours of Friday called on his supporters to shut down the country for three days next week.
Tchiroma urged citizens to cease all activities on November 3, 4 and 5, as part of what he called a nationwide “ghost town” protest, calling on his supporters to stay calm but determined, vowing that “our victory will not be stolen.”
According to official results, Tchiroma came second in the October 12 presidential vote, losing to incumbent Biya, 92.
He first came to power in 1982 following the resignation of Cameroon’s first president and has ruled since then. He later initiated a constitutional amendment that removed tenure limits.
Bakary who was Biya’s former minister said the results were manipulated. Protesters have taken to the streets in major cities, including Douala, Garoua and the capital Yaoundé to vent out their rejection of the result.
At least four people have been shot while hundreds of persons have been arrested as security forces launched a violent crackdown on the demonstrators.
In the message, Bakary said he has been exfiltrated from his home, where he has been holed up since the election, and taken to a secure location by what he called “loyalist soldiers” for his protection.
A group of eight local civil society groups previously noted several irregularities in the electoral process, including the presence of deceased voters on electoral lists, unequal distribution of ballot papers and attempts at ballot box-stuffing.
But the African Union mission said the vote was “conducted largely in accordance with regional, continental and international standards.”
Biya is expected to be sworn in within 15 days of the official announcement of the results in consonance with Cameroon’s Constitution.
