Leading Cameroon opposition party, the Social Democratic Front (SDF), says it will stage a protest march Tuesday, against President Paul Biya’s ‘life presidency’.
On the same day, the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) will be holding countrywide celebrations to mark President Biya’s 30-year stay in power.
Mr Jean Michel Nintcheu, who heads the SDF in the Littoral Region, said in a statement on Sunday that the “peaceful protest” in Douala will be against “30 years of obscurantism, regression and permanent misery”.
“There’s a pressing need for change in the management of state affairs,” the statement said.
“Together, let us resolutely make the courageous choice of fighting off what is unacceptable in our country: Life presidency at the helm of the state.”
On November 6 every year, droves of government officials and administrators of state corporations, return to their regions of origin for the lavish anniversary celebrations, grounding almost all activities in their places of work.
The 79-year-old Biya scooped 78 per cent in presidential elections in October last year and currently serves a sixth term of office, which could be stretched further when the tenure ends in 2018.
Presidential term limits were scrapped in 2008.
President Biya’s equally elderly challenger and chairman of SDF John Fru Ndi, whose share of the 2011 vote slipped to a disappointing 10 per cent, has seen his support wane over the years.
Critics say the opposition in Cameroon was chronically divided and posed no real threat to the Biya regime.
Mr Fru Ndi joined other opposition leaders in rejecting the results of last year’s presidential vote and called for a peaceful demonstration.
But the call seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.
President Biya is one of several African leaders who have been ruling their countries for a long time.
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