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Cameroon: Polls Close, Conflict Simmers: Read More
Cameroon: Polls Close, Conflict Simmers: Read More
This means that results from the overall count are questionable, especially
that independent could not get access to polling stations in time. The capital
of Cameroon's southwest, Buea, is a ghost city. Shops, banks, schools and
markets are closed. Public services have been suspended. A town that once
had around 200,000 people has been left deserted by the ongoing conflict.
Fear is rife here in Buea as anglophones brace for violence after separatist
fighters vowed war on voting day. "Everybody is scared because the
separatists say that Buea is the capital of Ambazonia and they could attack,"
journalist Tilarious Aznohnwi Atia told DW. "Whenever the separatists attack,
the military retaliates and attacks neighborhoods and ransacks houses," Atia
said, adding that ordinary citizens continue to suffer.
On the streets, however, few women and children are visible. The number of
men can be counted on two hands. "Some were killed, others are in prison,
and others have joined the boys," a taxi driver tells DW.
"Boys" is the name the anglophones use to refer to separatists, whereas the
French-speaking government in Yaounde calls them "terrorists." With this
characterization, the government has refused to negotiate with the
secessionists, despite increasing calls from the international community to
defuse the situation.
The International Crisis Group had urged both sides to declare a ceasefire at
least during the election week. The country's most respected Catholic,
Cardinal Christian Wiyghan Tumi, has been trying to persuade President
Paul Biya and the anglophone Cameroonians to sit down and find a solution
to the problem.
"In a more peaceful climate, the vote could have offered Cameroon the
political renewal it needs," the 87-year-old cardinal said.
Unforeseeable future
Jeffrey Smith, the executive director of Vanguard Africa, agrees with the
Douala-based cardinal priest of the Catholic Church. "Should Biya be
declared the winner, Cameroon will continue on its downward trajectory, with
the very real possibility of increased violence, additional human rights
abuses and the same sort of brazen impunity that has long characterized
Biya's oppressive rule," Smith said.
The conflict in anglophone regions, however, is not the only problem the
country has, said Edith Kahbang Walla, president of the opposition
Cameroon People's Party (CPP). "Living as a Cameroonian is a risk. Because
we don't have hospitals, we don't have roads; we are dying every single day
from the governance of Mr. Biya," she told DW.
The opposition leader and former presidential candidate in 2011 has vowed
to unseat Biya through protests. Her party isn't taking part in the election,
criticizing the country's "poor electoral process" and an uneven political
playing field that is inherently tilted in favor of the ruling party.
Nevertheless, Walla remains positive and is motivated by recent power
changes in Africa. "If it happened in Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe why
not here in Cameroon?" she asked, calling on her supporters to join her
cause.
DW recommends
The new coalition between two opposition parties was announced just two
days before voters head to the polls. Opposition parties are hoping to unseat
current President Paul Biya, who is seeking a seventh term. (06.10.2018)
Many young Cameroonians are tired of the 36-year tenure of President Paul
Biya and want change. But how many of them will actually cast their ballot
on Sunday is still an open question. (06.10.2018)
Many young Cameroonians are tired of the 36-year tenure of President Paul
Biya and want change. But how many of them will actually cast their ballot
on Sunday is still an open question.