Dear Friends,

I am sure with all the different BIG news stories around the world, few of you have probably heard what is going on here in Cameroon.

Yesterday, (Monday), the public transport drivers all went on strike to protest the high cost of fuel and other basic staples here in Cameroon. This strike began in the city of Douala, the financial center of the country, but quickly spread to Yaounde, the capitol, where we live. The strike includes all of the taxi drivers as well as bus systems.

Because the majority of the workforce uses taxis and buses to get to work, this is basically bringing the economy to a standstill. Today (Tuesday), the strike spread to other major cities here in Cameroon. Travel between the cities has been stopped by people setting up roadblocks, burning tires and other forms of protest. Riots have broken out and there is widespread, yet sporadic violence and looting going on. Most of the increasing outbreaks of violence are occurring in the Coastal areas, the Southwest, West, and Northwest provinces of the country. Yaounde where we live is in the central province.

The purpose of the strike is to protest the high price of gasoline and diesel, which is controlled by the government. Because the economy depends on transportation so heavily, prices of other commodities have gone up as well. Another issue that is fueling the discontent involves a proposed change to the constitution, which would drop the term limits imposed on the office of president of the country, basically allowing the chief of state to serve indefinitely. This has caused some unrest in the country as well.

For now, we are fairly safe here. Traffic on the roads in town has dropped off greatly, but so far we are being allowed to pass unharmed. Since the office is only two miles from our home and the boy’s school only a half mile away, all on this side of town, we haven't seen much trouble. However we have been told to stay away from downtown and the major shopping areas of the city since this is where most of the protests are occurring. The stoppage of traffic between cities has caused some interruption in the supply of processed goods, foodstuffs and fuel products. Prices of things like flour have already begun to go up due to shortages.

The US Embassy here in Cameroon is encouraging American citizens do the following:
Limit our travel and be alert to potential hazards - exercise caution
Avoid travel between urban centers
Avoid large public gatherings or demonstrations if possible
Consider reviewing our readiness for emergency situations
Prepare for possible food and supply shortages should the situation last longer than a few days
Review our travel documents to make sure they are current
Consider packing an emergency bag with our most important documents and possessions

Needless to say, we are a bit concerned, although we are in no immediate danger. However prudence warrants that we stay alert and ready for whatever might come. We think of what our colleagues in Chad just went through during their evacuation and wonder if the same thing could happen here.

Please pray that the situation will defuse quickly and without harm to the people of this country.

Ultimately, we know that God is our strength and our refuge.

Thanks for posting this! I think sometimes here in the U.S., we fail to see the affects of other countries.

God Bless!

you and your country are in my prayers.