Cameroon on Brink of Civil War as English Speakers Recount ‘Unbearable’ Horrors

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/06/world/africa/cameroon-election-biya-ambazonia.html

Article by: Dionne Searcey

The article argues Cameroon, whilst trying to deal with the aftermath of colonization, has been forced to the brink of a civil war. A separatist movement known as the "Amba boys" are fighting against the elite military force trained by American and Israel. The elite force has been accused of committing numerous human rights violations, not limited to to burning down villages and shooting civilians indiscriminately. In the midst of the fighting the country is also trying to hold an election. Paul Biya, who is running uncontested, has been in office for more than 30 years. The separatist movement is opposed to Biya remaining in office for another 7 years , and are doing what they can to further disrupt the election process. The Amba boys believe Mr Briya favors the Francophone areas while people in Anglophone regions are left without paved roads or other infrastructure. In addition, Mr Briya allegedly uses the elite military force to use violence on protestors. The fighting has severely impacted the civilians, resulting in schools remaining closed for more than 2 years and forcing more than 90 percent of the population to flee. Cameroon is a nation incredibly important to the United States as a nation that fights against Islamist extremism in the region, mainly Boko Haram.

Jennie Fry