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o, la-dee-da
Many Cameroonians skeptical as elections approach
In exactly two months, Cameroonians will be going to the polls to elect their president. 28 candidates are in the running, including 86-year-old incumbent Paul Biya, who has been in power for 36 years. He is Africa's second longest serving leader after his neighbor Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea.
Do you ever wonder how Cameroon came to be divided into anglo- and francophone constituencies? Of course you don't! It's an interesting story though, ripe for "post-colonial" mischief today.
But there are doubts inside and outside Cameroon that this election will be free and fair, especially in the Anglophone regions in the west, bordering Nigeria, which have been in turmoil for the past two years, when residents started to press their claims for more autonomy or even independence. According to the United Nations, 200,000 people have been internally displaced and 40,000 have sought refuge in neighboring countries.

archived arms "deals"
EU elections mission DENOUNCES Zimbabwe poll amid new delays
Lutte contre Boko Haram: le satisfecit des Etats-Unis

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.

by Cat on Tue Aug 7th, 2018 at 03:26:33 PM EST
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Do you ever wonder how Cameroon came to be divided into anglo- and francophone constituencies? Of course you don't!

Of course I do: the area initially covering 3 or 4 ancient kingdoms was colonized by the German Empire in the late 19th century under the name Kamerun. Following the German defeat in 1918, the League of Nations handed most of the colony over to France minus the two western provinces assigned to Britain (similarly, Togo was handed over to France, Tanganyika to Britain etc...).

In 1960, when several African colonies, including Cameroun became independent, a referendum was organized in the two British administered provinces: one voted for joining Nigeria and the other to be attached to Cameroon.

by Bernard (bernard) on Wed Aug 8th, 2018 at 07:30:33 PM EST
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and ...

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.
by Cat on Thu Aug 9th, 2018 at 12:24:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]
NEXT
The anticipated 2018 elections in Madagascar, poisoned chalice
There are protests by members of parliament against the new government announced on 11 June 2018. These protests are taking place in Place du 13 Mai, which is symbolic of the popular student uprising of 1972 against the colonial education system. The protests are coupled with demonstrations by public servants in the ministry of telecommunications and postal services. The protesters are alleging that the new government is not inclusive, as the judgement required. At the moment the matter has been referred, again, to the High Constitutional Court and Conseil d'état. [!] Le Conseil d'état is a government structure, acting as a tribunal that resolves internal differences in government. The antagonists of the current government are both former presidents of Madagascar, and former mayors of the capital Antananarivo. Marc Ravalomanana was president between 2002 and 2009. While Rajoelina was a coup leader and president of the Haute Autorité de la Transition [!], a transitional regime between 2009 and 2013.

archived
Françafrique, CFA, "civilizational challenges", [2013, 2018]
"civilizaitonal progress"

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.

by Cat on Thu Aug 9th, 2018 at 12:23:53 AM EST
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We are neither Assange nor Puigdemont undsoweiter.
Zimbabwe opposition leader charged after asylum bid fails
The court appearance followed dramatic events in which Mr [Tendai] Biti fled to Zambia, was denied asylum and was handed over to Zimbabwean security forces in defiance of a Zambian court order. Western diplomats, including the US and the UN refugee agency, quickly expressed concern.
[...]
The letter [to Zimbabwean police by Biti's lawyer] says Mr Biti should be immediately returned to Zambian immigration authorities, and "due to the traditional torture that abductees are generally subjected to in Zimbabwe" it called for a medical team to check him before then.

Zambian border guards handed Mr Biti over despite a court order saying he should not be deported until his appeal for asylum was heard, Zambian lawyer Gilbert Phiri said. Zambia's foreign minister said Mr Biti's reasons for seeking asylum "did not have merit".
[...]
The US State Department said the US had "convoked" the ambassadors of Zimbabwe and Zambia "to register our gravest concerns" and would review its cooperation with Zambia's government.

archived
Not that Mugabe, the other one

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.

by Cat on Thu Aug 9th, 2018 at 08:28:56 PM EST
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annnd ... Mr Mnangagwa's inauguration is on hold
Chamisa tweeted: "Our legal team successfully filed our court papers. We have a good case and cause!"
[...]
Chamisa, who is the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), claims the election was rigged and that he won 56 percent of the vote, making him president.
Quite a discrepancy!


Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.
by Cat on Sat Aug 11th, 2018 at 01:35:35 PM EST
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