International
Cameroon orders 3-day lockdown of Anglophone region to prevent protest
A three-day total lockdown in the English-speaking region has been issued by authorities in Cameroon in order to prevent a planned gathering to protest ill treatment and neglect by the predominantly Francophone government of President Paul Biya.
Reports say authorities have banned all gatherings of more than four people, ordered bus stations, eateries and shops to shut and forbade movement between divisions of its Anglophone region to prevent the protest.
“Public gatherings and assembly of more than four persons shall be strictly forbidden. All off licences, snack bars and night clubs shall not operate. Motor parks shall remain closed,” said the order signed by Adolphe Lele Lafrique, governor of the northwest region.
“Anypersons who attempt to violate this order shall be prosecuted,” it added.
Read also: English teachers, lawyers on strike in Cameroon over imposition of French
Reports say the protests which have become a lightening rod for opposition to Biya’s 35-year rule was planned by the Anglophone region on Oct. 1st, the day of their independence from Britain.
Recall last December that there was a strike embarked upon by disgruntled teachers and lawyers in the Anglophone region after accusing government of imposing French in schools and court rooms in the Anglophone speaking part of the country.
Before now, Anglophones in the country have long complained that they face discrimination as they are excluded from state jobs as a result of their limited French language skills.
They also complain that official documents are often only published in French, even though English is also an official language.
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