Update: Cameroon Violence Quieted
Feb 29, 2008
UPDATE: Feb 29, 2008
Friends,
We appreciate the words of support we have received from so many of you. Thank you.
The situation in Cameroon has quieted. The streets in Yaounde were empty yesterday other than a very large military presence. Today some stores are re-opening. Things are calm at Sanaga-Yong Center...the chimpanzees, staff and volunteers are all well.
Dr. Speede remains in the apartment in Yaounde other than to buy food provisions and supplies as the shelves in the stores are quickly being emptied. The schools remain closed. Although it is more calm, it is not yet safe to move about.
The unrest and violence was stopped by huge military force but the people of Cameroon have not had their voices heard. There is still need to have caution as it is difficult to predict the meaning of the quiet now or the repercussions of the violence. There may be increased difficulty to move about the country and more challenges to acquire supplies for Sanaga-Yong Center. The value of the US dollar, which has dropped significantly recently, may continue to do so. Sheri and her staff will monitor the situation and all efforts on behalf of the great apes will always continue.
This message came through yesterday from Sanaga-Yong Center:
"Things here in Belabo are very quiet and you wouldn't know that anything is happening elsewhere in the country - thank heavens! Public transportation, however (i.e. trains & buses) has stopped so we don't know what effect this will have - could possibly mean that normal supplies of goods will be affected. I sent the truck in yesterday to get extra fuel and am here in Belabo myself today (Thurs.) for regular provisioning. I will do some stockpiling of important items, just in case. Please reassure everyone that all is well right now at the sanctuary, for the chimps, the staff, and the volunteers. Merci!!"
From the BBC:
** Cameroon head blames opposition **
Cameroon's President Biya says the opposition is to blame for violence arising from fuel price protests.
We are reminded now more than ever of the many challenges that we face in protecting and conserving great apes in Cameroon. As always, our work requires a foundation of support world-wide. Thank you for participating. We will keep you informed of the circumstances in Cameroon.
February 27, 2008
Dear Friends,
As you may know there is a great deal of unrest in Cameroon and during this time we wanted to be in touch with you, our supporters and partners.
Before anything else we want to reassure you that the chimpanzees at Sanaga-Yong Center are safe. The violence and rioting has not reached the rural area where the Center is located. If this situation changes we will let you know.
Dr. Sheri Speede and her daughter were in Yaounde when the violence broke out and are safe in their apartment with a body guard. Below is a note from Sheri describing the current situation.
Working in Cameroon to protect orphaned chimpanzees and conserve wild great apes requires nothing short of steadfast determination. Cameroon is a difficult country with a lack of infrastructure and a complicated political system. Resources for growth and development are sparse at best. The current president, Paul Biya, has been in power since 1982, running a government that has left the people in dire circumstances.
In the midst of the turmoil, IDA-Africa's work for the great apes is difficult but unwavering. It has always been a great challenge to work in a country that is often minimally functional and to work with people who have so little themselves. We are especially reminded at this time of the need for your support in order to create change in hope for survival of endangered great apes.
The current situation in Cameroon is unstable. Streets in Yaoundé, Douala and throughout the country are filled with demonstrations, looting and violence. Clashes between students and the police and Gendarme are resulting in deaths. It seems that the violence is snowballing, bringing in people throughout the country who are angry and desperate.
Demonstrators are opposing the efforts of the Biya administration to make a constitutional change that would allow him to run again for president. There also is a taxi strike in response to increased cost of fuel and cost of living. Equinoxe television station was shut down by the government. Roads are being blocked by burning cars and tires and big mobs of people. The cost of fuel has increased severely and there is very little to be found, none in Yaoundé.
Sheri is in regular contact with her staff at Sanaga-Yong Center and the situation in Belabo, the nearest town, is being closely monitored. As always, the safety and well-being of the chimpanzees, staff and volunteers is our main priority.
For more detailed information see CNN World News and an article from Douala, Cameroon below (it was written on the 25th but provides good background information and description of the situation).
From Dr. Speede,Yaoundé, Cameroon, February 27, 2008.
All day people have been demanding that President Paul Biya speak to the nation. Earlier tonight a large crowd of angry people marched on the main road going past our apartment on their way to the President’s residence to demand he speak. At 8 o’clock tonight he spoke for less than five minutes on the government TV channel and basically promised a crackdown. He was angry and he said the opposition parties were manipulating Cameroon’s youth through sorcery (witchcraft) for their own political ends and they would not succeed. He said it was the responsibility of the Cameroon government to restore law and order and they take that responsibility seriously. He said they will take all means necessary to restore law and order. No concessions. No conciliatory tone. Not even any recognition that people have legitimate grievances.
The main opposition leaders have been speaking on the alternative channel and they are not saying anything to calm the situation, either. They denied they were manipulating people, said people are legitimately angry, tired of broken promises, and tired of the same speech for 26 years
I expect the violence to be worse tomorrow. The unrest has not yet spread to Belabo. I sent a message to Sanaga-Yong for them to buy as much fuel as possible today and they were able to get a lot. They will go back tomorrow morning for more fuel, as well as baby milk formula and other provisions. I wish we were at Sanaga-Yong Center because it should be safer there than in Yaoundé, but there’s no way for us to get to the site right now. I have an armed bodyguard with me and my daughter 24 hours a day.
Thank you for caring ~
Cameroon: Douala burns as taxi strike turns into general rioting
Published on Feb 25, 2008 - 7:55:36 AM
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By: IRIN News
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| The rioting appears to have been sparked off by a taxi strike planned for 25 February. Photo: Elizabeth Dickinson/IRIN | DOUALA, 25 February 2008 - Residents of Douala awoke to heavy gunfire on 25 February. Columns of thick black smoke rose over the city as youths burned buses, cars and tyres, blocking off major arteries in the city.
There were also reports of widespread looting.
"We can't leave our homes," a man in Akwa, an area in the city centre, told IRIN. "I live near a school and can see teachers sending home all students that arrive. Rioters are occupying other schools in the area."
At least two dead bodies have arrived at the city morgue with gunshot wounds to the head, a journalist told IRIN.
IRIN also saw people with serious gunshot wounds being carried to a hospital.
The rioting appears to have been sparked off by a taxi strike planned for 25 February. Many people say they are sympathetic with drivers' complaints of rising fuel prices and the cost of living.
IRIN saw no vehicles in the city centre other than those belonging to security forces.
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Rioters burning vehicles and tires in Douala.
Photo: Elizabeth Dickinson/IRIN | Political tensions have been high in recent days with the government attempting to push through constitutional reforms that would remove restrictions on the number of times that Cameroon's long-time leader Paul Biya can be re-elected. He has been in power since 1982.
An unauthorised demonstration took place on 23 February in Newtown, a suburb near the airport, in which police reportedly fired tear gas and water cannons at a crowd of several hundred people. One protestor was killed, according to government officials, but eye witnesses said at least one other youth also died.
The following day, Sunday, the city was calm until the evening when gunfire erupted again near the airport.
By Monday morning rioting had broken out throughout the city.
Accounts of the violence
One of the main bridges to the city has been blocked by burning tires, according to an eyewitness living nearby. "We see smoke everywhere and hear constant gunfire," she said.
A national radio station reported that many government buildings were on fire, including a town hall and one of the finance ministry buildings.
The main road between Douala and the capital, Yaounde, is blocked by burning tires and IRIN saw a number of petrol stations being looted along that road.
Youths have also reportedly broken into at least one major retail store.
In the city centre, IRIN saw large gangs of youths moving through the streets with no police in sight. But elsewhere police were seen arbitrarily arresting civilians.
"I saw two people in front of my office being stopped by the police and arrested for no reason," said Madeline Afite, a human rights advocate for NGO Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture.
People catching flights out of the city had to walk to the airport. IRIN saw young men attempting to enter the airport compound. Some were armed and appeared to be shooting at the police. Police also appeared to be returning fire.
"I think what is happening is that youths saw recent events in Kenya and are now trying to copy," Mary Mballa, a mother in Newtown, told IRIN.
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