Pan-African theologian Rev. Mo'hau Khumalo criticized Cameroon President Paul Biya after his eighth electoral victory sparked deadly demonstrations. The 92-year-old leader secured 71 percent of the votes in the Oct. 12 ballot despite opposition claims of widespread manipulation. Security forces killed at least 17 protesters and detained more than 500 people following the Oct. 27 results announcement.
Khumalo accused foreign governments and corporations of sustaining Biya's 43-year administration through military support and resource extraction agreements. Israel provides security training while European and Chinese companies control oil, timber and mineral exports. African Union officials condemned the violence but regional leaders remained silent about the electoral irregularities.
The commentator questioned South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's failure to address the crisis, given his country's history of liberation. Youth unemployment exceeds 13 percent in Cameroon as poverty affects half the population. Opposition figures Maurice Kamto and Issa Tchiroma Bakary rejected the election outcome and called for independent verification of results.
Khumalo accused foreign governments and corporations of sustaining Biya's 43-year administration through military support and resource extraction agreements. Israel provides security training while European and Chinese companies control oil, timber and mineral exports. African Union officials condemned the violence but regional leaders remained silent about the electoral irregularities.
The commentator questioned South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's failure to address the crisis, given his country's history of liberation. Youth unemployment exceeds 13 percent in Cameroon as poverty affects half the population. Opposition figures Maurice Kamto and Issa Tchiroma Bakary rejected the election outcome and called for independent verification of results.
