CAMEROON ARRESTS 60 MEMBERS OF OPPOSITION PARTIES

 At least 60 members of the opposition in Cameroon were detained by the police after they gathered in Cameroon’s capital Yaounde to protest attempts to change the constitution in order to extend the 34 year rule by President Paul Biya.

According to a member of the National Commission on Human Rights, Christophe Bobiokono, around 60 people were taken in for questioning before attending a press conference organized by several opposition parties in the country.

Cameroon police are said to have blocked the site of the press conference that was due, that was to be used by the opposition to denounce any bid to change the constitution. There was tear gas used on the opposition so as to disperse them according to Emmanuel Simh, vice president of the Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC).

Opposition alleges that the parliament wants to change the constitution to benefit the 83 year old President.
Top officials of the ruling party have been reported to have called on President Biya to think about running for the 2018 elections, a move that would require constitution change.

Constitution amendments in 2008 removed the two term limit for the president which allowed him to run again. President Biya was re-elected in 2011 for another seven years in office.

SOURCE: AFP