Jailed Political Opponents and Separatists Stage Mass Protest in Cameroon Central Prison

The crisis in Cameroon is one of the many footprints of colonialism. There is no denying the fact that the crisis which is between the Francophone and Anglophones have lasted too long and sadly so.

It is disheartening that Africans can attack each other just because they speak different languages.

In truth, the problem in Cameroon is neither a Cameroonian nor African problem. Rather, the British and France are only using the people of Cameroon as pawns to fight their hidden wars. It is so sad that Africans cannot see through this ploy. Hundreds of people continue to die daily as a result of this crisis.

In the latest crisis in the Central African country, four inmates at the Kondengui Central Prison in Cameroon’s capital, Yaounde have been reported dead after chaos erupted in the prisons.

The riot which was streamed live on Facebook was organized by aggrieved inmates who were protesting poor conditions in the facility. The protesters were demanding better conditions of detention in the overcrowded facility as well as their release.

The deaths of four inmates have been confirmed by the spokesperson for the country’s main opposition party, the Social Democratic Front after the library, computer room and administrative offices were reportedly burnt down by the aggrieved inmates during the protest.

As was visible in the Facebook live stream, dozens of detainees, including political opponents and separatists, took part in a demonstration.

Following the incident, a former Prime Minister and ex Public Health Minister, currently serving jail terms were reportedly transported to a hospital on Monday night after sustaining minor injuries.

Many inmates suffered injuries as tear gas and live bullets were used by the prison wardens and police to disperse the protesters.

According to reports, the leaders of the protest and the vice-president of opposition party CRM were later transferred to an unknown destination after the incident.

The disgruntled detainees are alleged to have been detained unlawfully at the Kondengui Central prison for several months without trial.

African News reports that some of them were arrested following the crisis rocking the two English-speaking regions of the country while others were seized during CRM protest marches.

The Cameroon government is yet to make an official statement at the time of filing this report.

Header Image Credit: REUTERS/Stringer