Cameroon Background

The rioting in Cameroon has prompted me to highlight a little bit of Cameroon's background. Cameroon has been known as a peaceful African state. This is credited mostly to its diversity. There are over 500 ethnic groups in Cameroon, so the country has managed to avoid any tribal wars that might have resulted from having two or three majority tribes. Cameroon's ethnic diversity is complemented by its geographical diversity. The country is known as "little Africa," because every major geographical region in Africa is represented in Cameroon. It contains rain forest, mountains, coastal regions, desert, and grasslands.
However, Cameroon does have a large disparity between the upper class and the poor. Poverty is very widespread in Cameroon. If the poor were to unite, much violence could result.
Most of the population depends on public transport. The recent riots over gas prices are fueled by the fact that those in the transport industry must foot the bill for rising gas prices.
In addition, there is growing opposition to the president of Cameroon, Paul Biya. I will not make any political commentary here, except to say that Biya, Cameroon's second president since its independence in 1960, has been in office for 25 years and is pressing to change the constitution to extend his presidency. The fuel crisis has given those in opposition to Biya an excuse to voice their displeasure, and the rioting may continue even if the gas prices are adjusted sufficiently to appease those in the transport industry.
The last military coup of note in Cameroon was a rebellion that took place about 50 years ago, at the time that many African countries were gaining their independence from European countries. Cameroon is a former colony of both France and Britain.
From news reports, I have learned that the rioting has affected many more Cameroonian cities beyond Douala and Yaounde. I've heard that Kumba, Buea, and Bamenda are also affected. My suspicion is that many more cities are feeling the violence. Please pray for a peaceful resolution to this new unrest.