A former agrarian colony of the United Kingdom, France and Germany, Cameroon was transformed by the discovery of oil in the 1970s. President Paul Biya, in power since 1982, has yet to deliver a state where rule of law is respected, pluralism flourishes, and freedom of expression and assembly are observed. The far north of the country is one of the remaining strongholds of the militant Islamist forces of Boko Haram, and radicalisation is spreading in that region. Elsewhere, the government has cracked down in response to protests over government policies, and the country is dealing with spillover effects of the sectarian civil war in neighbouring Central African Republic.
Dozens of ‘noisy’ churches silenced in Cameroon
The government of Cameroon has ordered the closure of dozens of churches in an attempt to put an end to what it considers to be anarchy among some Christian organisations. The measure, which authorities began to impose on August 23, targets Pentecostal churches, which are not officially recognised. The minister […]