The lone picture in this article was taken exactly eight years
ago, on February 23 2008 at Ront Point Dakar in Douala, Cameroon.
Hon. Jean Michel Nintcheu, SDF Member of Parliament for the
Wouri East Constituency had just 'appeared' and wanted to address his militants
and sympathizers on the need for Cameroonians to resist constitutional change for life presidency to the incumbent. He
had planned to hold a rally at Rond Point Dakar, but was stopped by local administrative authorities.
“I have been informed that the government is ready to
slaughter people who came to this gathering. I request that you go back to your
homes. We would programme a rally in the near future on another date I will
announce,” Hon Nintcheu told his supporters and curious onlookers who had gathered.
Barely few minutes later, truckloads of law enforcement
officers comprising gendarme and policemen invaded the rally ground. Teargas
and grenades fouled the air. A manhunt was launched for Hon Nintcheu who succeeded
to escape towards the Brazerville stretch of
Ront Point Dakar. Two persons lost their lives that same night in standoff between locals and security forces.
The tension had mounted. Equinox TV and Radio had been closed
on February 21 and 22, 2008 respectively. Bike riders were ready to continue
the protest against increase in fuel prices on Monday February 25 2008.
Paul Biya Must Go!
Paul Biya Must Go!
 |
| HON NINTCHEU (MIDLLE) : TRUE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PEOPLE |
From Monday February 25 to Wed February 28, Cameroon remained
in turmoil with demonstrations in major towns and cities.“Liberez Equinox,”
“Paul Biya Doit Partir,” Baisser les prix du carburant,” read some of the
placards wielded by mostly commercial motorcyclists.
Instead of “going” President Biya who was then 26 years in
power appeared very angry on Wednesday February 27 on National TV . What followed were insults Cameroonians as apprentice
sorcerers and threats to use the law against protesters. And it came to pass. The following day , Thursday, February 28 2008, Cameroonians
saw elements of the Rapid Intervention Battalion,BIR in their numbers, on major junctions, apparently for the first time. The protests had been
crushed.
Wouri Bridge Massacre?
Something however happened between those three days (February
25-27). As reported by many local media then. It was reported that in one of those
three days, residents from Bonaberi were marching to go across the Wouri Bridge
and present a petition to the then
Governor of the Littoral Region, Fai Yengo Francis. The bridge full of protesters was
blocked from the Deido and then the Bonasama end.
Helicopters are reported to have hovered over the demonstrators
spreading tear gas as arrests were being made. It is also reported
that hundreds of people; some unable to swim preferred to jump
into the Wouri River than giving themselves up for arrest. Sand diggers were reportedly chased away from the Wouri River as soldiers and marines patrolled the waters .
Many questions linger on this reporter's mind each time there is a look on that
picture of Hon Nintcheu, whose rally was broken up, fueling tensions.What happened to the hundreds... who reportedly jumped into the Wouri River? Why were
sand diggers allegedly chased from the Wouri? Was there a massacre?
Some politicians are reportedly quite aware of the scenario this reporter recounts but have remained silent. Was it not time for investigations to
be opened to let Cameroonians know what actually transpired? Was the government claim
that only 140 people were killed in the February 2008 uprisings, justified?
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