Cameroon's largest city came to a halt on Monday, as streets once crowded with traders and taxis echoed with silence as protests - marked by widespread shutdowns and fear of violence - continued to paralyse daily activity.<br /><br />Footage shows closed markets and storage facilities, with only a few vehicles and pedestrians moving through the city's main arteries. The shutdowns, initially launched as acts of civil resistance, have evolved into a more profound economic crisis.<br /><br />"You leave from the airport and arrive at the Bihipur entrance in Douala, where you see a gendarmerie van that people call 'Mami-Wata'," explained economist Dr Jean Marie Biada. "Next to it stands the GPIGN, our elite unit trained by France's GIGN. When we see these troops pre-positioned in places where violence can erupt, it shows that the social temperature is not normal."<br /><br />Many businesses have closed their doors amid fears of looting and unrest. Economists warn that the ongoing paralysis could push the state toward financial instability.<br /><br />"If I have one message to convey, it's this: let's stop this quickly," Biada urged, adding, "If this continues for a month or two, the State could find itself in a precarious situation. Financial institutions might start viewing Cameroon as a risky client.”<br /><br />Locals say the atmosphere is tense. "No one wants to put their life in danger, because we saw what happened on the day the results were announced. We have a saying here: when the snake bites you, you see the centipede and you run away," said motorbike taxi driver Rodrigue Tullong.<br /><br />Yet, Tullong explains, many have no choice but to return to work to feed their families.<br /><br />"We go out because things are not going well. Children at home don't know if their parents have money - they just hold out their hands in the morning. Are parents forced to fight like this? Because if danger comes, it will affect us first," a local commented.<br /><br />The unrest follows the announcement of President Paul Biya's re-election, which extends his rule beyond 40 years. Opposition figures and human rights groups have accused Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) of fraud, intimidation, and manipulation of the vote count.<br /><br />According to the Cameroon Human Rights Committee, at least three people have been killed and dozens injured since protests began earlier this week.<br /><br />Follow us on:<br />WhatsApp cutt.ly/WhatsAppCFM<br />https://twitter.com/capitalfmkenya/<br />https://www.facebook.com/capitalfmkenya<br />https://www.instagram.com/capitalfmkenya<br /><br />Subscribe to Capital FM News for More: https://goo.gl/um4AGk<br /><br />98.4 Capital FM<br />93.0 Western Kenya<br />98.5 Nakuru and Nyeri<br />104.5 Malindi<br />102.7 Garissa<br />103.9 Meru<br />106.5 Kitui<br />104.9 Voi<br /><br />#CapitalFmKenya
