Prominent Senator assassinated in Cameroon
A senior opposition lawmaker and barrister from Cameroon’s opposition Social Democratic Front (SDF) has been assassinated in the northwestern city of Bamenda.
Senator Henry Kemende was pulled out of his automobile and then shot in the chest, according to party communication secretary Denis Nkelemo.
Mr Nkelemo noted that the motivation for the killing remains unknown.
Bamenda is Cameroon’s largest English-speaking city and is currently embroiled in a political crisis that has escalated into violent warfare between separatists and the military.
Since 2017, the International Crisis Group reports that the war has killed over 6,000 people and displaced about one million.
Separatists are hostile to what they perceive to be French-speaking Cameroonians’ dominance.
Cameroon is hosting the Africa Cup of Nations at the moment, with the government ensuring the safety of teams and spectators.
Mr Kemende’s assassination has been criticized on Twitter by a rights group:
We strongly condemn the assassination of Senator Henry Kemende, a promoter&defender of justice, by Cameroon’s repugnant regime. Our condolences to his family. We continue to call for @UN #IndependentFactFindingMission in #Ambazonia @antonioguterres pic.twitter.com/OKC1E826Mk
— Sam Soya Center 4 Democracy & Human Rights SSCDHR (@SoyaFor) January 12, 2022
Barrister Kemende Henry, Cameroon’s vocal member of Parliament, shot and killed yesterday in Bamenda by unidentified person(s). Sad day for #Cameroon. pic.twitter.com/jiYUdZragN
— Arrey E. Ntui (@ArreyMcNtui) January 12, 2022