Barrister Ndoki, a lawyer and former member of Kamto’s Cameroon Renaissance Movement party praised the youth for standing firm despite the heavy police presence in the lead up to the abandoned rally. Edith Kah Walla, leader of the Cameroon People’s Party, CPP and a former presidential candidate, condemned the police action in a Facebook post.
Prominent female opposition leaders Barrister Michele Ndoki and Edith Kah Walla have commended supporters of Prof Maurice Kamto for their defiance during a tense standoff with police in Douala. The incident occurred last Sunday June 8 where thousands of Kamto’s supporter gathered to welcome him back from France but were blocked by security forces. Kamto’s supporters remained calm despite being surrounded by armed police, who prevented them from meeting the opposition leader. The reactions from Barrister Ndoki and Kah Walla broke a period of silence among opposition figures following recent restrictions on civil and political rights.
Barrister Ndoki, a lawyer and former member of Kamto’s Cameroon Renaissance Movement party praised the youth for standing firm despite the heavy police presence. On her Facebook page, she highlighted their courage, noting that they attended without incentives like money or food “No sardine, no bread, no two thousand francs and yet they showed up,” Barrister Ndoki said as she rained praises on Kamto’s supporters. She also pushed back against claims that Cameroonians are passive, expressing pride in their determination. Edith Kah Walla, leader of the Cameroon People’s Party, CPP and a former presidential candidate, condemned the police action in a Facebook post.
She stressed that Cameroon cannot progress in an atmosphere of fear and called for respect for freedoms, genuine dialogue, and a political transition that upholds the rule of law. Her statement reflects growing concerns over repression ahead of the 2025 presidential elections. On Sunday, authorities placed Kamto under house arrest shortly after his return from Paris, where he held a political rally. Police blocked him from meeting supporters who had gathered at his party’s headquarters in Douala headquarter Deido. He was released the next day but ordered to leave the city. Security forces escorted him to Yaounde, where some supporters saluted him.
Barrister Ndoki is known for her legal work and activism, particularly during the 2019 protests, where she was arrested. Edith Kah Walla, a longtime opposition figure, advocates for good governance and women’s leadership. The incident has sparked discussions about freedom of assembly and political rights in Cameroon as the country prepares for elections. The statements from Barrister Ndoki and Kah Walla highlight ongoing tensions between opposition groups and the government.
