Power play sparks Cameroon protests

High prices and the president’s bid to extend his term stoke demonstrations.

Paul Biya Cameroon President
Paul Biya intends to change the constitution in order to rule longer [EPA]
The strike had brought the oil-producing nation to a standstill.
 
Biya’s government had agreed to reduce the price of a litre of petrol to 594 CFA Francs ($1.36) from 600.
 
Unending protests
 
Thousands of protesters in Douala, Buea and Yaounde shouted slogans against Biya and demanded that he step down after his term ends in 2011.
 
One demonstrator said: “Biya has gone too far, he must go. We also want an overall reduction in commodity prices.” 
 
Ernest Karngong, a businessman, said: “Shops and stores remain shut, taxis are not back on the streets, not even motorcycles. A few private car owners who ventured out found their windscreens shattered and they returned home.”
 
The demonstrators shouted, “We’re fed up” and called for all basic goods to be sold at cheaper prices.
 
Worst riots

 

The riots in Cameroon were the worst in the past 15 years.

 

At least eight people were killed in the last four days and rioters blocked all major streets in Cameroon with barricades of burning tyres and timber.

 

Police used tear gas to disperse the stone-throwing demonstrators and bring the situation under control.

Source: News Agencies