The Africa Report — July-August 2017

S

ince late last year, Mondays in

Bamenda are a ‘ghost town’

• shops are closed and most
  people stay at home. On a
  bright day in mid-June, the
  city stretches out in a valley amidst dull
  green hills in North West Region as a
  big white coach from Douala arrives
  at its outskirts. A pidgin-speaking man
  selling a herbal cure-all tries to whip
  up customer interest as the bus leans
  from side to side through some rough
  potholes. The bus passengers dutifully
  get out for an ID check just outside the
  archway welcoming you to Bamenda.

After years of neglect and marginalisation by the

francophone majority in Cameroon, the English-

speaking enclaves are pushing back. The

government’s response to intellectual-led protests

has been hardline, and in the near-deserted streets

of Bamenda there are whispers of secession

ByReinnier KazéandHonoré Banda

Following recent

protests

Bamenda was

cut off, internet

included

Bamendablues

Cameroon

GEORGE OSODI/PANOS-REA

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