PRISON BREAK
Cameroon militants free 100 prison inmates before election
The separatist threat has emerged as President Paul Biya’s most serious challenge in years
Yaounde — Separatist militants have raided a prison in northwestern Cameroon and freed about 100 inmates, the government and separatists said on Thursday, as the rebels vowed to block October’s presidential election in English-speaking regions. President Paul Biya is expected to extend his 36-year rule in the October 7 vote but the insurgency by Anglophone rebels has emerged as his government’s most serious challenge in years. The separatists complain of discrimination against English speakers in the predominantly Francophone country and want to create an independent state called Ambazonia in the oil-and cocoa-producing northwest and southwest regions. Hit-and-run raids Their hit-and-run raids have killed more than 160 members of Cameroon’s security forces in the past year, Amnesty International has said. State forces have also shot at civilians from helicopters, burned villages and killed residents, forcing thousands to flee. Nchia Martin Achuo, the head of the Tigers of Ambazonia,...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.