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Cameroon president says dropping prosecution against 'some' political rivals
[PULSE.NG] Cameroon...a long, narrow country that fills the space between Nigeria and Chad on the northeast, CAR to the southeast. Prior to incursions by Boko Haram nothing ever happened there... 's President Paul Biya on Friday announced he had ordered prosecutions to be dropped against "some" opposition leaders, including a number from the main Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC) led by his jugged Into the paddy wagon wit' yez! rival Maurice Kamto. Kamto was arrested in late January after months of peaceful opposition protests over the results of the October 2018 election. The move is the latest in a series of concessions from the 86-year-old leader, who is under intense international pressure over a sweeping crackdown on the opposition. He is also attempting to ease surging tensions in separatist anglophone regions, with talks on the turmoil wrapping up Friday. "I have ordered the discontinuance of proceedings pending before Military Tribunals against some officials and bully boyz of political parties in particular the (MRC)," he said on his official Twitter account in English. In French, he added that it affected those "arrested and detained for acts committed in contesting the results of the recent presidential elections". He did not specify whether the decision would affect Kamto, Cameroon's main opposition leader who unsuccessfully claimed victory in elections last year. Kamto went on trial with 88 others in a military court in September on charges of insurrection, hostility to the motherland and rebellion -- crimes which could carry the death penalty  . Their next hearing was scheduled for October 8.His party also was not able to confirm details. "I do not know if Maurice Kamto is involved or not," said senior MRC official Emmanuel Simh. Kamto was arrested in late January after months of peaceful opposition protests over the results of the October 2018 election won by Biya, who has been in power for 37 years. The crackdown on Kamto and the opposition has caused outrage among rights groups and many western governments. Related: Paul Biya: 2018-11-07 Cameroon: Biya Sworn In, Challenger Arrested - Report Paul Biya: 2018-11-06 79 school pupils abducted in restive anglophone Cameroon Paul Biya: 2018-10-25 Cameroon Bishop takes swipe at Biya’s re-election Related: Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon: 2018-10-09 Cameroon opposition claims election win, ruling party disagrees Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon: 2018-10-07 Cameroon set for Sunday vote as Paul Biya seeks seventh term Related: Maurice Kamto: 2018-11-07 Cameroon: Biya Sworn In, Challenger Arrested - Report Maurice Kamto: 2018-10-25 Cameroon Bishop takes swipe at Biya’s re-election Maurice Kamto: 2018-10-11 Two Candidates Claim Victory in Cameroon Vote Posted by: Fred 2019-10-05 |
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