SOME cities in Cameroon were deserted on Tuesday after the main opposition leader asked citizens to stay at home to protest against the recent election win of 92-year-old President Paul Biya.

The three-day lockdown, which won partial support, began on Monday in mainly opposition strongholds including the economic hub of Douala and in northern cities like Maroua and Garoua, where deadly protests have taken place in recent days.

Mr Biya, won the October 12 vote and secured his eighth term, according to official results. Main opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, however, claims to have won and has called on Cameroonians to reject the official results.

In his call for a lockdown, Mr Tchiroma said: “Let us keep our shops closed, suspend our activities, remain at home in silence, to demonstrate our solidarity.”

Amadou Adji, a resident of Garoua whose niece was among those killed during the protests, expressed support for the lockdown.

“The lockdown is also a form of solidarity which we are showing to Tchiroma,” said Amadou.

Authorities confirmed the killing of four persons during protests in Douala while the Stand Up For Cameroon civil society group has said that at least 23 people were killed during recent protests.

Cameroonian authorities have condemned the protests and accused the opposition of trying to instigate a breakdown of law and order.