16 killed during Cameroon’s National Day celebrations

Cameroon’s National Day activities were marred by violence that left 16 people dead and 60 houses burned.

CAPE TOWN, May 20 (ANA) – Cameroon’s National Day activities were marred by violence that left 16 people dead and 60 houses burned, Voice of America (VOA) news reported on Thursday.

National Day, also known as Unity Day, on May 20 was chosen by the government to commemorate President Ahmadou Ahidjo’s abolishment of the federal system of government in favour of a unitary country in 1972.

Citing local media, VOA said streets in Cameroon’s troubled English-speaking towns and villages were deserted, but business activity went on as usual in French-speaking towns and villages.

Efang, also known as Big Number, calls himself the supreme general and commander of separatist fighters in the English-speaking North West and South West regions. He said on social media that he asked fighters to make sure all English speakers remain at home as a sign of protest against National Day, VOA reported.

According to VOA, Efang maintains that the English-speaking North West and South West regions no longer consider themselves part of the French-speaking majority state of Cameroon. He says English-speaking Cameroonians should not celebrate a national day imposed by the Yaoundé government, which is using military might to deprive English speakers of their freedom.

The central African country has been marred by protests and violence since 2017, with residents in English-speaking regions saying they have been marginalised for decades by the central government and the French-speaking majority.

They are calling for independence or a federal state.

Violence in the anglophone regions over the past three years has claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands, according to Human Rights Watch.

News agency Anadolu reported last week that President Paul Biya cancelled all official ceremonies marking the 2021 edition of National Day due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, secretary-general in the president’s office, said in a statement that Biya urged Cameroonians to strictly observe government-prescribed social distancing measures during the commemoration of May 20 as well as the celebration of upcoming religious feast days.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher