Post-election crisis: Panic buying, soaring food prices hit major cities.

The move, Issa Tchiroma said, is to protest what he terms a “stolen victory” in the recent presidential election. The rush in Douala, Yaounde and Bafoussam, came as many feared restrictions of movements could soon take effect. 

“We don’t have much money, but it’s better to have food in reserve than to regret later,” said a worried shopper at the Ndogpassi Market.

With an empty gas cylinder on his head, Albert, a Douala resident, said he had to walk long distances and make several phone calls before finding a cylinder filled with cooking gas. But even then, government’s fixed price of 6,500 FCFA per bottle is not being respected, he regretted. 

“I had no choice but to buy it at 12,500 FCFA,” he lamented.

Ngonmeni Doris, a housewife, told this reporter she managed to get her gas cylinder at 9,500 FCFA, in the Ndogpassi neighbourhood. 

Despite the over 2,000 FCFA price increase, she said she continued to receive multiple calls from regular customers, pleading with her to reserve the scarce commodity.

Days into the post-election protests, cooking gas is not the only item that witnessed scarcity; prices of basic commodities have shot up sharply. 

A small tomato that previously sold for 25 FCFA or 50 FCFA, now sells at 100 FCFA. Six tomatoes are now sold at 2,000 FCFA, while three small pieces of smoked ‘mbounga’ fish or cod, which sold at 500 FCFA, now cost 1,000 FCFA.

Bananas, plantains, macabo cocoyams, cassava, and other staple foods have all seen prices doubled or tripled. A small bunch of plantains now goes for 3,000 FCFA, while a cup of beans or groundnuts costs 300 FCFA -250 FCFA. This is more than usual.

At Ndogpassi Market, palm oil prices have risen by up to 1,300 FCFA per litre, while the price of a bucket of Irish potatoes has increased by 500 FCFA.

“There’s no money, yet traders are increasing prices, even though they’re selling old stock. It’s shocking,” lamented a shopper. 

However, she said they prefer to use savings and stock homes in anticipation of what may be ahead.

Similar situation of hike in prices of basic food items also hit many markets in Yaounde. Many, who rushed to the Mvog-Ada, Accacia, Mvog-Mbi, Nsam, Mendong and the Central Markets in Yaounde, complained of sharp increase in prices. 

Many faced serious difficulty getting some brands of domestic gas for their homes. 

“I trekked for hours, visiting over ten sales points and was unable to get the brand of domestic gas I use,” Mac Nervile, a Yaounde resident said.

“I only succeeded to swap the bottle of the brand which I had, by paying an extra 5,000 FCFA,” he added.  

Authorities push back against announced ‘ghost town’

As Issa Tchiroma launches the third phase of his post-election protests, urging Cameroonians to observe a three-day ghost town beginning today, local authorities have intensified peace and mobilisation campaigns to prevent unrests.

In Douala, the Divisional Officer, DO of Douala II Subdivision, last Friday, urged traders to open their shops and assured them of State protection. 

A similar message was echoed in Mbouda, where West Region Governor, Awa Fonka Augustine, led a peace campaign, carrying a message of love and calm from President Paul Biya. He commended security forces for their vigilance and called on community leaders to act as ambassadors of peace.

Meanwhile, in Yaounde, the Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, Mounouna Foutsou, urged young people to uphold peace, responsibility, and unity, while rejecting hatred and violence. 

His message came during an exchange with youth leaders on October 31, 2025, ahead of African Youth Day. Across the country, mayors and administrative officials continue to call on traders and citizens to maintain calm and restore normal life.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3614 of Monday November 03, 2025