Repression is worsening in Cameroon amid an uprising over
language
On May 20th, the celebration of Cameroon’s
national day continued with massive parades and portraits of President Paul
Biya. He hoped the parade would show national unity, but instead showed a
massive division between the countries. In the two English-speaking regions,
there has been an uprising met with repression. Starting in October 2016,
lawyers complained that the English speakers were being discriminated against
by the officially bilingual state. The English speakers, who make up less than
a fifth of the population, say that they receive less money and the government
forces them to use French. Mr. Biya’s government responded by arresting
activists and cutting off the Internet in English-speaking regions, making
peaceful protests into violent ones. Moreover, both sides have committed
atrocities. Peter Henry Barlerin, America’s ambassador to Cameroon, says that
April was the bloodiest month. Accusing the government of authorizing killing
and causing thousands to flee to Nigeria. Looking for a peaceful solution, Mr.
Biya called his first cabinet meeting since October 2015. The future of the
state and government appears to unknown.
Gabbi Gruver
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