AfriPulse
Cameroonian opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary has called for a nationwide shutdown beginning Monday, November 3, in protest against what he described as the “confiscation of power” following the October 12 presidential election.
In a defiant address to the Cameroonians Friday morning, Tchiroma urged citizens to suspend all activities and remain indoors in a show of solidarity and resistance.
“My dear compatriots, since the proclamation of falsified results, turned away from the truth of the ballot box by the Constitutional Council, our country has been going through unprecedented tension.
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“The will of the people has been confiscated, the sovereignty of the people trampled upon, but this time the people have a reason. Standing tall and strong, dignified and courageous, they said no to the confiscation of power,” he said.
How 13 state assemblies operate without female legislators Farmers incur losses as pests attack sugarcane plantations in Kano Urging Cameroonians to shut down the country in protest, Tchiroma said, “I therefore call on you from Monday, November 3, Wednesday, November 5, to observe. Let the entire country come to a standstill so that the whole world knows that we are resisting and that we will not yield.
“Let us keep our shops closed, suspend our activities, remain at home in silence to demonstrate our solidarity and remind this regime that the strength of an economy is its people and the people no longer recognise it as their leader.”
Tchiroma’s call is coming amid widespread unrest and reports of violent repression across Cameroon. He accused the government of responding to peaceful protests with deadly force, citing a growing toll of casualties and arrests.
He added that, “Across all regions, from the north to south, east to west, Cameroonians express themselves peacefully with the only weapon granted to them by the Constitution, their vote. Yet this voice was met with a clash of weapons. A live bullet answered the song of freedom.
“Our parents, our children were cut down in the prime of their lives and peaceful marches were turned into blind repression with profiling and brutality. Today, the provisional toll is heavy. Arbitrary arrest of political leaders, civil society actors, content creators and thousands of demonstrators, hundreds of deaths and injuries, families plunged into mourning, recalling the traumatic episodes of 1984.”
Tchiroma also condemned what he described as the “cynicism and contempt” of those in power, referencing a viral video allegedly showing the president of the Constitutional Council celebrating the incumbent’s victory.
“While the people weep for their martyrs, those responsible for this tragedy shamelessly feast, displaying on social networks their cynicism and contempt for the people.
“In a viral video, the president of the Constitutional Council himself, in the intoxication of champagne, boasted of having secured the victory of the incumbent president. What a shame for our republic.”
Bakary had earlier confirmed that he has left his residence in Garoua and is now under the protection of what he described as “elements of the loyalist army.”
While his exact location remains undisclosed, Tchiroma expressed solidarity with those detained or abducted in the ongoing post-election unrest.
“I ask all those who have been arbitrarily arrested, to my kidnapped family members, hang in there — I will not rest until this regime gives you victory,” he said.
He also thanked the loyalist forces “for showing patriotism by leading me to safety and protecting me now.”
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Source: DailyTrust | Read the Full Story…
