This archive report was first published on 14 January 2020.
As Cameroon prepares for its general elections on February 9, 2020, the government has issued a stern warning to anyone planning to disrupt the polls. The warning comes amidst separatist threats to boycott the elections in the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions.
Speaking at the opening of the first bi-annual conference of the country's 10 regional governors in Yaoundé on Monday, Cameroon Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, stated that the government 'will display its might' against troublemakers, regardless of their social status.
Mr. Nji emphasized that those who attempt to create disorder during the elections will be dealt with firmly and in accordance with the laws of the republic. The conference, held under the instructions of President Paul Biya, aims to take stock of security measures put in place for the elections.
President Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982, had declared in his New Year message on December 31, 2019, that the elections must be conducted countrywide, including in the restive English-speaking regions.
Despite the government's assurance of security, separatists have vowed to disrupt the polls. The governor of the Northwest, Adolphe Lele Lafrique, however, stated that the security situation in his area is under control, and the elections will take place as planned.
Cameroonians will go to the polls on February 9 to elect parliamentarians and municipal councillors, amidst threats from separatists that the vote will not take place in the English-speaking regions. Separatists have declared a one-week lockdown on the regions beginning February 7, intended to stop the vote from taking place.
