Central Market Traders storm Douala gendarmerie, demand release of member

Almost 750 traders of Douala central market stormed the office of the gendarmerie Nkololoun last night, demanding the unconditional release of Eric Yomi, first vice president of the Association of Traders.

Yomi has been in custody since yesterday afternoon after being involved in a hearing concerning a case between the owners of the shops and the Urban Community of Douala.

Fritz Ntone, Great Mayor of Douala decided 11 days ago to launch an inventory campaign of the shops of this large market.

Officers sworn in for this operation have been confronted on the ground with fierce opposition from owners of businesses.

"The CEO wants to count the shops when he does nothing to improve our conditions. We live in overcrowding, there is a false attribution in the allocation of shops and we do not know how he chose those he describes as our representatives,"denounces Tchami Rich, one of the protesting traders.

Given the tense situation, the Governor of the Littoral Region, following a crisis meeting held on July 5, decided to suspend the campaign census.

Meanwhile, the Government Delegate has been ordered to bring the matter to the police, especially since some of its officers were assaulted during clashes with merchants on July 4, the date of the census.

The hearing of those involved in this affair got off to a bad start this evening and traders have threatened to keep their shops closed today if their vice president is not released.