Cameroon warns against election chaos

The government of Cameroon has warned it will deal "firmly" with those planning to disrupt the 9 February elections, amid threats from separatists that they will stop voting in the country's two English-speaking provinces.

There is already a heavy security in the Anglophone regions - with 800 more military police officers being sent to secure two towns in the North-West and South-West provinces.

Separatist fighters have said they will restrict access in these areas for one week from 7 February to prevent voting from taking place.

Cameroonians are due to elect MPs and municipal councillors.

Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji urged people to vote and warned that the security agencies would deal firmly with those who sabotaged the polls:

Police patrolling the English-speaking regions have in the past been accused of brutality.

The conflict has its roots in the government's decision to increase the use of French in schools and courts in the North-West and South-West in 2016.

It triggered mass protests and morphed into a rebellion the following year as some civilians - angry that the government deployed troops to crush the protests - took up arms.

Presentation of New Year wishes by Members of the Diplomatic Corps and National Dignitaries in a solemn ceremony organised at Unity Palace on 9 January 2020.#PaulBiya#Cameroon#HappyNewYear2020 pic.twitter.com/4lVZnY9LnF

— President Paul BIYA (@PR_Paul_BIYA) January 9, 2020