Cameroonian government has restored Internet connectivity in English-speaking regions of the country after over 3 months.
TheNewsGuru reported the government of Cameroon shut off Internet connectivity from predominantly English-speaking regions of the country in January.
The shutdown came after the government outlawed at least two Anglophone groups: Southern Cameroons National Council and the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium, for protesting government socio-economic policies.
The two groups took to the streets to protest the marginalization of English-speaking regions by the French-speaking-led government.
Cameroon has 10 semi-autonomous administrative regions; eight are Francophone, while the Northwest and Southwest regions are home to approximately five million English-speakers.
Anglophones in the country have long complained that they face discrimination, saying that they are excluded from state jobs as a result of their limited French language skills.
They also complain that official documents are often only published in French, even though English is also an official language.
Protests in the Anglophone regions have been going on for years, but intensified late last year when protests turned violent.
This led the government to shut down Internet connectivity in the English-speaking regions believing it fuels the protests.
“I am particularly concerned at the tightening of the space for free speech at a time where its promotion and protection should be of the utmost importance,” David Kaye, United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression said.
Kaye joined his voice with other #BackBackOurInternet campaigners like Rebecca Enonchong to urge the Cameroonian government led by President Paul Biya to restore Internet connectivity in the country.
President Biya has finally succumbed to restoring Internet connectivity to the regions.
Excited groups gathered in the city centre to share the news with each other on Thursday night, as passing cars honked their horns in celebration, according to BBC.
Students, those working in the financial sector, and businesses who sell products online say they suffered hugely during the ban.
Cyber-cafes which were forced to close are now reopening.
My own work and family life were affected.
I had to make a four-hour round trip to a neighbouring region every time I wanted to send radio reports to my editors.
There are those who see this as the first step towards resolving tensions between the government and the Anglophone community.
Some are even encouraging their friends to be less outspoken on social media to avoid another shutdown.
But others are still angry and say the release of three leaders of the Anglophone protests and 30 others who are still detained should be the priority.
Cameroon’s mobile providers are welcoming residents of Cameroon’s north-west and south-west regions back online with free internet access.