On December 8, 2016, Cameroonian authorities killed at least four people and injured 20 others during a protest outside a meeting between the Cameroon President, Paul Biya, and the ruling “Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement” (RDPC) political party in Bamenda, Cameroon. Demonstrators spoke out against the marginalization of the Anglophone minority resulting from the country’s dominant use of the French language, arguing that non-English curricula impede their access to education. Bamenda is located in one of the country’s English-speaking regions which have experienced civil unrest for the past two months.

 

The African Movement for Democracy (AMD), released a statement of concern in response to state-sponsored violence against protesters, and asked the government of Cameroon to issue an independent investigation into human rights violations. The network of African leaders also requested that the government observe Cameroon’s obligation to protect human rights enshrined in the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Connect with the AMD by visiting their Facebook page.