Free Cameroon Now

This post was originally written in November 2014 but recent events have made it more relevant than ever.  The goings-on in Ferguson, where the wanton murder by a White policeman of an unarmed Black youth and the establishment’s refusal to indict the White policeman sparked riots in the USA; coupled with the feeling of wonder expressed by the White community there, had me drawing parallels with Cameroon and the cold shoulder our Francophone partners turn to us when massive arbitrary arrests, event disruptions, murders and other human rights abuses go on in Cameroon against “SCNC militants” and we expect them to take up our defence against an oppressive regime. In Ferguson for example, we see some Whites supporting the cause of the Blacks, helping to remind authorities that Black lives matter too, perhaps out of intellectual honesty. But when Anglophones receive such shabby treatment, can we expect any liberty loving Francophone voices to take up their defence? Never, if what we...

Are you one of those inspired to shout "Je suis le Cameroon" out of anger at the big deal made by the international media in response to the Charlie Hebdo killings by radical jihadhists? Many wonder why the Charlie Hebdo killings are such a big deal since Boko Haram has been killing Nigerians and some Cameroonians for no better reason than extremism, and some of these people have created their own alternatives of the "Je suis Charlie" tag. Some talk of "I am Nigeria" and I dare say you too, if you are from Cameroon, might want to think, "I am Cameroon" or "Je suis le Cameroun" depending on your side of the Mungo. I agree with you but only condemn Boko Haram because of indiscriminate killing which is never any solution to a problem. In fact, I cannot add my voice to those who want to use it as an excuse to sweep Cameroon's problems under the carpet. We still have problems, Boko Haram or not, it is even a minor issue that is bein...