Mass Arrests of Opposition Members in Cameroon

This worrying story is coming to you from Human Rights Watch:

At least 350 members and supporters of Cameroon’s main opposition party, including its vice president, were arrested across the country this weekend after they tried to hold demonstrations. The arrests, targeting the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) party, appear to mark yet another step in the government’s attempt to limit political dissent.

Cameroon security forces have used excessive and indiscriminate force to snuff out other MRC demonstrations. And in late January, MRC leader Maurice Kamto and some of his closest allies were arrested alongside another 200 MRC members and supporters after they held country-wide protests. They remain in detention on politically motivated charges.

Over the past few weeks, the MRC submitted several requests for authorization to protest Kamto’s arrest and call for his release. The requests were rejected by administrative authorities, citing security reasons. But last weekend, MRC leaders and supporters decided to disregard the ban, marching in several cities across the country.

See full story here.