FEB. 2008 -FEB 2016 : HON JEAN MICHEL NINTCHEU AND WOURI BRIDGE MASSACRE

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!

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?