AFRICA/CAMEROON - Weak participation and murder of two policemen mark the elections

Yaounde (Agenzia Fides) - A relatively weak turnout characterized the presidential elections in Cameroon, yesterday, Sunday, Oct. 9, according to news agency reports (see Fides 08/10/2011). The election day was also marred by the killing of two policemen in charge of ensuring the security of the vote in the Bakassi Peninsula, an area long disputed between Nigeria and Cameroon, which has an international arbitration permanently assigned to the latter (see Fides 24/06/2005). In the area rich in fish resource, as well as oil and gas, there are several armed groups dedicated to banditry. The outgoing President Paul Biya, in power for 29 years, will most likely be re-elected. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/10/2011)