The main opposition leader in Cameroon, Maurice Kamto has been arrested in the city of Douala, his party has said.
His arrest on Monday is reportedly over ongoing unrest following last year’s presidential election.
The leader of the Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC) called for more protests over the weekend. Security forces had to disperse protesters with teargas and live ammunition.
Kamto’s party says its leader and two other party members have been detained in the city of Douala.
“I can confirm that professor Maurice Kamto was arrested (today),” his lawyer, Agbor Bala is quoted by Reuters as saying.
Last October, Maurice Kamto declared himself winner of the 2018 Presidential election despite warning from the government.
The President of the Movement pour la Renaissance du Cameroun (MRC ) known in English as the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM); a political party in Cameroon Prof Maurice Kamto has been arrested and taken to an unknown destination. pic.twitter.com/RMswxn7xBE
— Agbor Nkongho (@AgborNkonghoF) January 28, 2019
He placed second in that disputed presidential election with the Constitutional Court confirming the incumbent Paul Biya’s win.
Kamto is a former Minister Delegate of Justice between 2004 and 2011. He founded his political party in 2012. He was once a supporter of Paul Biya.
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President Biya who is 85 years old was sworn in last year extending his 36-year rule.
That will make Paul Biya one of the longest serving African leaders when his next term ends. This will be his seventh term in office. He will end his tenure at the age of 92.
Biya came into power in 1982 when his predecessor then retired. He became president after serving as prime minister for seven years.
Source: Africafeeds.com
