Authorities in Cameroon have sent troops to the nation’s economic capital and port city of Douala, to stop a surge in gang violence.
Exports from Cameroon to its landlocked neighbours, the Central African Republic and Chad have also been hampered by the spate of insecurity.
The military was summoned to Douala by President Paul Biya for emergency security briefings, which lasted two days.
Residents say about 13 military trucks approached the city on Tuesday night.
The troops were required because police in Doula had been engaged in daily confrontation with armed gangs.
The fights resulted in the detention of hundreds of adolescents and prompted the closure of some businesses during the typically busy Christmas season.
A number of businesses were still closed on Wednesday in Mboppi, a thriving area in Douala.
