Several residents decided to protect the former minister from a possible arrest, which they believe would be ordered by the Minister of Territorial Administration.

Women and men of all ages take turns every day in front of Issa Tchiroma Bakary's home in Garoua.

Armed with slats and clubs, they are stationed in front of the residence of the candidate for the Cameroonian presidential election to protect him from a possible arrest which they believe would be ordered by the Minister of Territorial Administration.

"Minister Tchiroma has acquired this aura simply following the fed-up feeling and the hostile speeches that President Biya's entourage is spreading, isn't that right?" declared Hassana TCHIROMA, close to Issa Tchiroma.

The residents of Garoua have organized themselves so that one group can spend the night and another the day. They denounce widespread youth unemployment and call for the departure of President Paul Biya from power.

"Cameroonians are suffering. If you see the youth outside like this, you have to understand that we are tired. We are graduates and we don't have jobs. We have to change the country. We want change from north to south, from east to west. We don't want war, sorry, Papa Biya, we have to give power to the people," declared Moussa Iya Mohaman Adama, a resident of Garoua.

On October 12, violent demonstrations shook the city as young people, who had decided to accompany the procession of the strongman of Garoua, were dispersed by the anti-riot gendarmerie.

"It was the population who made the decision to protect Minister Tchiroma and his home. You see, we did nothing, and when we were returning the other day, on election day, we found riot police and a lot of gendarmes at intersection 7 at the entrance to the minister's home. But we did everything we could to ensure that three vehicles passed and that the others dispersed. It was the next day that the minister was able to return home, and since then he has been confined to his home. Everything he does, the statements and everything he does, is in his home."

The situation remains tense in the city of Garoua, which is under siege as Issa Tchiroma claimed victory in an address to Cameroonians from his home on Monday night. Here, people are promising to fight until the end to ensure that Cameroonians' choice is made at the ballot box.