Cameroon Protest
Cameroon Protest: More than 150 hectares of sugarcane crops in Cameroon were destroyed due to violent fights between SOSUCAM employees and police. Protests against hard-working conditions, poor wages, and calls for improved labor laws sparked the disturbance that began earlier this week.
Employees have protested what they describe as near-slavery conditions, emphasizing the physical hardship of harvesting sugarcane in difficult conditions for pitiful wages. An anonymous employee noted that, despite the rigorous nature of the job, they stay out of necessity, noting, “It’s like slavery with a small salary.” They also remarked that the dense sugarcane crops make the labor much more difficult, which is exacerbated by diminishing soil productivity as a result of urbanization.
Workers went on strike in protest over delayed wage payments, which heightened tensions. The rallies became violent, resulting in one fatality, numerous injuries (including among police officers), and extensive property damage. Nkoteng Mayor Kanga Esaïe Hubert said that around 20 people were imprisoned, and SOSUCAM operations were disrupted for almost ten days. Security forces are currently highly deployed in the region, and regular life has been considerably interrupted as tensions remain high.
Mayor Hubert acknowledged the terrible situation and detailed the damages caused by the unrest, which included damaged vehicles. He stated that while some of the workers’ requests had been met, others remained unresolved.
The violent scenes drew widespread condemnation across Cameroon’s political landscape. SOSUCAM, a subsidiary of French company Somdiaa, responded on Friday by announcing plans to increase employee wages and monthly bonuses. While this move addresses some issues, many employees remain skeptical, believing that their larger concerns must be addressed before trust can be restored.
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