Cameroon protests leave two dead in English speaking region

Two protestors were killed and 10 others were wounded in Cameroon’s northwest, in the latest bout of violence to hit the English-speaking region of the mostly Francophone country.

Friday’s violence occurred in Ndop, about 40 kilometers to the east after police opened fire when a crowd of about 100 people descended on the police station.

Witnesses said they were demanding the release of people arrested on suspicion of setting fire to a French-speaking school last Wednesday.

The northwestern town of Bamenda has experienced numerous protests since November when lawyers and teachers claimed their rights were being neglected by Cameroon’s French-speaking majority.

The protests have since spread and come as a rare test for long-standing President Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982.

In December, police shot dead four protestors in Bamenda during a march against the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement.

Human rights groups have raised concerns on police brutality following a series of crackdown on protesters.