Protests in Cameroon - Update from SOS Children National Director
29/02/2008
Protests, sparked by a fuel price rise, have caused tension in Cameroon. According to sources, the official death toll from violent protests in Cameroon this week has risen to 17. Demonstrations, started in Douala have now spread to other cities including the political capital Yaoundé. Thankfully, SOS Children staff and children are safe and SOS projects have not been affected by the clashes.
According to the national Director of SOS Children Cameroon, Mrs Claude Alvine Mbappe, at the SOS Children’s Village Mbalmayo located at about 60km from the capital Yaoundé, “Everything is calm and normal. Staff work regularly, the children go to school normally and the SOS mothers go normally to the market. There is no fear and no anxiety. People are informed about the situation through the media, especially radio and TV”.
At the SOS Children's Village Douala on the other hand, things are more uncertain; “SOS mothers and the children were forced to stay inside the village since the beginning of the strike, in order to avoid tear gas and stones, as results of confrontations between demonstrators and the police. This morning, SOS mothers were able to go to the market so that they can buy essential supplies such as food (oil, salt, rice, plantain, sugar, milk, beans etc.) and other products of first necessity which can last at least until the beginning of next week. As far as education is concerned, the SOS Primary School and Nursery operate regularly, but this morning, parents have been asked to keep their children at home, until the situation becomes normal”.
Relevant Countries: Cameroon.