CAMEROON Election: Isolated incidents of unrest in Anglophone regions
Cameroon saw isolated incidents of unrest in separatist Anglophone regions during voting on Sunday in an election widely expected to extend the rule of President Paul Biya. Voting proceeded smoothly across much of the Central African country, but a drive by secessionists to disrupt the election meant not all polling stations were open in English-speaking […]
Electoral workers prepare the polling station where President Paul Biya will cast his ballot in Sunday’s presidential election in Yaounde, Cameroon October 6, 2018. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra
Cameroon saw isolated incidents of unrest in separatist Anglophone regions during voting on Sunday in an election widely expected to extend the rule of President Paul Biya.
Voting proceeded smoothly across much of the Central African country, but a drive by secessionists to disrupt the election meant not all polling stations were open in English-speaking regions, where voter turnout was low due to security fears.
The army said a regional official suffered a minor injury after his convoy was ambushed by rebels. A security source said at least three armed separatists were shot dead by security forces in the northwest English-speaking town of Bamenda.
The reports could not be independently verified and separatist leaders could not be reached for comment.
Biya, 85, has ruled for 36 years and victory on Sunday would give him a seventh term, bucking a tentative trend in Africa to install presidential term limits.