Norbert Wasso with reports from Yaounde
Security forces smashed through the headquarters of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, CRM, of Professor Maurice Kamto situated at the Nlongkak on Monday afternoon to prevent the Kamto coalition campaign manager. Eric Kingue, from granting a press conference.
A post from Eric Kingue, early in the morning had indicated that he would be granting a press conference at 2p.m on Monday but an order from the Divisional Officer of Yaounde 4 subdivision, Bassilekin Georges, later in the day had banned the press conference on grounds that it was not authorized and was a threat to public peace and order.
Shortly after the ban was made public the CRM was under military siege. The security forces later smashed their way inside and ordered journalists and other persons in the hall to vacate.
It should be noted that in an earlier press conference in Douala prior to elections on October 7, Eric Kingue had warned of a popular revolt if the party’s impending victory at the polls was confiscated. On Monday, October 8, almost less than 24 hours after polling closed Professor Maurice Kamto granted a press conference in Yaounde during which he virtually claimed to have won the election and called on the incumbent, President Paul Biya to plan for a peaceful transition of power guaranteeing his safety and that of his family.
Prof. Kamto also gave assurances to the military. An avalanche of reactions ensued condemning Kamto’s auto-proclamation but the professor and his coalition continue to maintain that they won.