virtually empty streets in some neighnorhoods in Douala
Cameroonian opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary’s call for ghost towns has been heeded to in many cities today Monday 3, 2025.
In his new plan of action, calling on supporters to shut down the country for three days Monday 3-5 November was relatively positive in key towns in some regions like Littoral especially Douala the economic capital, the three Northern regions of Far North, North and Adamawa, West and East.
Of course the two Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest respected their traditional Ghost Mondays.
Streets and business premises in some neighborhoods in Yaounde like Bastos Mokolo, Medong etc were virtually empty with several shops closed.
It should be recalled that in an audio message posted early on Friday, Tchiroma urged citizens to cease all activities on November 3, 4 and 5, as part of what he called a nationwide “ghost town” protest. He urged 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 the incument Paul Biya.
But Tchiroma and his supporters say the results were manipulated and protesters have taken to the streets in a number of cities, including Douala, Garoua and the capital Yaounde. Many are reported to have been shot and hundreds arrested as security forces launched a violent crackdown on the demonstrations.
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.
Tchiroma said in his recent message he’d been exfiltrated from his home, where he’d been holed up since the election, and taken to a secure location by what he called “loyalist soldiers” for his protection.
Biya is expected to be sworn in within 15 days of the official announcement of the results in consonance with Cameroon’s Constitution.
Parliament officially opened its ordinary session Monday November that is expected to culminate in Paul Biya’s oath taking ritual.
Reports say Issa Tchiroma is also preparing oath taking in his hideout on November 6th.
