July 16, 1984

Cameroon - Killing Two Birds With One Stone

Jerome F Gwellem, Limbe

Measures instituted by the Biya government since the abortive coup attempt three months ago aimed at forestalling further disturbances by the military, must have caused grave inconveniences to many Camerounians at whom the measures were never intended.

The massive presence of loyal forces on the streets of the capital, Yaounde, to search cars sometimes creates unnecessary traffic jams and delays in the movements of the city's residents. The presence of the soldiers, some of them armed, is also another source of panic among the civilian population who since the country's independence in 1960 have not been used to such scenes.

But while there is cause to complain, the intensification of the security checks has produced a windfall for the complainants who no longer bother to go to bed with knives under their pillows to chase intruders with or keep vigil to watch over their property.

Noting the general decline in crime in the capital city occasioned by the intensification of security checks, the weekly English language Cameroon Tribune reported, "the frequent night street brawls' which were caused by brazen-looking fearless prostitutes have disappeared. It appropriately commented, "in crushing the rebellion and suppressing crime, one stone has been used to kill two birds".

Solidarity with jailed journalists

THE families of Mr Tunde Thompson and Mr Nduka Irabor jailed one year each under Decree No. 4 have each been given N1,000 to help ease the pain of their absence. It was part of financial donations that have been pouring into the offices of the Guardian together with messages of solidarity from the Nigerian public who are disgusted over the policies of the military rulers on the role of the media.