<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/five-years-after-boko-haram-kidnap-112-chibok-girls-still-missing-210266&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjD68nfh9zhAhVOinAKHSyjBkwQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3MuMl23umumdDJi65N-egK">Boko Haram</a> fighters torched a village in Cameroon's troubled Far North Region overnight and killed 11 civilians in their sleep, security sources told AFP on Friday.

"Boko Haram made an incursion at night in the Tchakamari area. The toll is 11," a source close to security services in the area said, confirming a report from a member of a local self-defence militia.

It was the deadliest Boko Haram raid in recent months in Cameroon. The bodies were "charred", the source close to security services said, adding that the attackers had burnt the village.

The dead included both children and the aged and began at around 10 pm and lasted until about 1 am Friday.

The Boko Haram conflict began in 2009 in neighbouring Nigeria and has killed more than 27,000 people and left 1.8 million homeless in the country's northeast.

The violence has spilt into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

Boko Haram fighters torched a village in Cameroon's troubled Far North Region overnight and killed 11 civilians in their sleep, security sources told AFP on Friday.

Boko Haram fighters torched a village in Cameroon's troubled Far North Region overnight and killed 11 civilians in their sleep, security sources told AFP on Friday. "Boko Haram made an incursion at night in the Tchakamari area. The toll is 11," a source close to security services in the area said, confirming a report from a member of a local self-defence militia. It was the deadliest Boko Haram raid in recent months in Cameroon. The bodies were "charred", the source close to security services said, adding that the attackers had burnt the village. The dead included both children and the aged and began at around 10 pm and lasted until about 1 am Friday. The Boko Haram conflict began in 2009 in neighbouring Nigeria and has killed more than 27,000 people and left 1.8 million homeless in the country's northeast. The violence has spilt into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

Around 11 civilians killed in Cameroon Boko Haram attack

Over 30,000 people fled the Nigerian town of Rann and across the border to Cameroon over the weekend amid fears of renewed attacks by Boko Haram jihadists, the UN said Tuesday.

"All the population seems to be panicking and they are on the run as a preemptive measure to save their lives," UN refugee agency spokesman Babar Baloch told reporters in Geneva.

Rann, near the border with Cameroon in northern Borno state, already saw an exodus of some 9,000 people earlier this month after a Boko Haram attack on January 14 left 14 people dead.

Baloch said that Cameroon had sent back the 9,000 refugees and had initially sent in troops that are part of a multinational task force to protect the town.

"It was a bit peaceful, but as far as we understand now, that multinational taskforce has left," he said.

Refugees had told aid workers that Boko Haram militants had "promised to return to Rann," he said, explaining the panic.

He said UNHCR was reiterating its call to Cameroonian authorities "to keep the borders open, as we see thousands fleeing every day."

Baloch said that a recent upsurge in violence in northeastern Nigeria had already driven more than 80,000 civilians to seek refuge in already crowded camps or in towns in Borno State, "where they are surviving in tough living conditions."

Rann, he said, had already been housing some 80,000 displaced people.

"The escalation in the conflict has thwarted people's intention of returning to their homes," he said, adding that some refugees who had attempted to return home from Cameroon had been displaced multiple times inside Nigeria or forced to become refugees again in Cameroon.

"The hostilities have strained humanitarian operations there and forced aid workers to pull out from some locations," he said.

Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency, meanwhile told reporters that we have "260 aid workers who were withdrawn from three locations in Borno state" since early December.

Over 30,000 people fled the Nigerian town of Rann and across the border to Cameroon over the weekend amid fears of renewed attacks by Boko Haram jihadists, the UN said Tuesday.

Over 30,000 people fled the Nigerian town of Rann and across the border to Cameroon over the weekend amid fears of renewed attacks by Boko Haram jihadists, the UN said Tuesday. "All the population seems to be panicking and they are on the run as a preemptive measure to save their lives," UN refugee agency spokesman Babar Baloch told reporters in Geneva. Rann, near the border with Cameroon in northern Borno state, already saw an exodus of some 9,000 people earlier this month after a Boko Haram attack on January 14 left 14 people dead. Baloch said that Cameroon had sent back the 9,000 refugees and had initially sent in troops that are part of a multinational task force to protect the town. "It was a bit peaceful, but as far as we understand now, that multinational taskforce has left," he said. Refugees had told aid workers that Boko Haram militants had "promised to return to Rann," he said, explaining the panic. He said UNHCR was reiterating its call to Cameroonian authorities "to keep the borders open, as we see thousands fleeing every day." Baloch said that a recent upsurge in violence in northeastern Nigeria had already driven more than 80,000 civilians to seek refuge in already crowded camps or in towns in Borno State, "where they are surviving in tough living conditions." Rann, he said, had already been housing some 80,000 displaced people. "The escalation in the conflict has thwarted people's intention of returning to their homes," he said, adding that some refugees who had attempted to return home from Cameroon had been displaced multiple times inside Nigeria or forced to become refugees again in Cameroon. "The hostilities have strained humanitarian operations there and forced aid workers to pull out from some locations," he said. Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency, meanwhile told reporters that we have "260 aid workers who were withdrawn from three locations in Borno state" since early December.

30,000 fled Nigerian town in two days amid Boko Haram threat: UN

At least 29 people were wounded Wednesday when a women bomber blew herself up in a border town in Cameroon's Far North, a region frequently hit by Boko Haram jihadists, security sources said.&nbsp;

But a second bomber was shot dead by troops deployed in the town before she could detonate her explosives, the source said.&nbsp;

"A suicide bomber blew herself up this morning in Amchide" on the Nigerian border, a regional security source said, speaking on condition of anonymity and giving a toll of 29 wounded.&nbsp;

The attack occurred on market day when the town was filling up with early-morning shoppers, a local civil defence group official said.&nbsp;

"There were many people hurt, I saw about 20," he said. "After the attack, the market emptied."

A once-bustling trade hub, in 2014 Amchide was thrust into the forefront of a major battle between Cameroonian troops and Boko Haram militants who held the nearby Nigerian town of Banki for several months.&nbsp;

The violence forced most residents to flee the town, although some have now begun to return.&nbsp;

After pushing back Boko Haram, the Cameroonian army dug long trenches around Amchide and even inside the town to foil new incursions by the jihadists, with Wednesday's attack the first in many months.

At least 29 people were wounded Wednesday when a women bomber blew herself up in a border town in Cameroon's Far North, a region frequently hit by Boko Haram jihadists, security sources said.

At least 29 people were wounded Wednesday when a women bomber blew herself up in a border town in Cameroon's Far North, a region frequently hit by Boko Haram jihadists, security sources said. But a second bomber was shot dead by troops deployed in the town before she could detonate her explosives, the source said. "A suicide bomber blew herself up this morning in Amchide" on the Nigerian border, a regional security source said, speaking on condition of anonymity and giving a toll of 29 wounded. The attack occurred on market day when the town was filling up with early-morning shoppers, a local civil defence group official said. "There were many people hurt, I saw about 20," he said. "After the attack, the market emptied." A once-bustling trade hub, in 2014 Amchide was thrust into the forefront of a major battle between Cameroonian troops and Boko Haram militants who held the nearby Nigerian town of Banki for several months. The violence forced most residents to flee the town, although some have now begun to return. After pushing back Boko Haram, the Cameroonian army dug long trenches around Amchide and even inside the town to foil new incursions by the jihadists, with Wednesday's attack the first in many months.

At least 29 injured in suicide blast in Cameroon's Far North: Sources

Brazil striker Neymar limped out of their 1-0 friendly win over Cameroon on Tuesday but later calmed fears his injury might be serious with a message confirming the problem was not something he was unduly concerned about.

The Paris St-Germain player was substituted after tweaking his groin as he shot at goal with seven minutes gone in the international match at Milton Keynes in England.

Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar told reporters that while a scan was needed to confirm the exact diagnosis, he did not think the injury to Neymar's adductor muscle would keep him out long and Neymar confirmed that early diagnosis.

"Thanks to everyone who sent me messages wishing me a quick recovery, I don't think it's anything serious," Neymar wrote on Instagram.

Brazil went on to win the match with Neymar's replacement Richarlison scoring the only goal of the game a minute before halftime.

It took Brazil's record since the World Cup to six wins in six games with six clean sheets.

"We ended the year happy with the work we've done up until now, these last games were important to help us recover after the setback that was the World Cup," Neymar added.

"We remain strong, focused and looking to always get better."

Neymar's injury was not the only concern for PSG on Tuesday with his club strike partner Kylian Mbappe also withdrawn before halftime in France's 1-0 friendly win against Uruguay.

The forward fell awkwardly on his right shoulder after a challenge from Uruguay goalkeeper Marin Campana.

Brazil striker Neymar limped out of their 1-0 friendly win over Cameroon on Tuesday but later calmed fears his injury might be serious with a message confirming the problem was not something he was unduly concerned about.

Brazil striker Neymar limped out of their 1-0 friendly win over Cameroon on Tuesday but later calmed fears his injury might be serious with a message confirming the problem was not something he was unduly concerned about. The Paris St-Germain player was substituted after tweaking his groin as he shot at goal with seven minutes gone in the international match at Milton Keynes in England. Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar told reporters that while a scan was needed to confirm the exact diagnosis, he did not think the injury to Neymar's adductor muscle would keep him out long and Neymar confirmed that early diagnosis. "Thanks to everyone who sent me messages wishing me a quick recovery, I don't think it's anything serious," Neymar wrote on Instagram. Brazil went on to win the match with Neymar's replacement Richarlison scoring the only goal of the game a minute before halftime. It took Brazil's record since the World Cup to six wins in six games with six clean sheets. "We ended the year happy with the work we've done up until now, these last games were important to help us recover after the setback that was the World Cup," Neymar added. "We remain strong, focused and looking to always get better." Neymar's injury was not the only concern for PSG on Tuesday with his club strike partner Kylian Mbappe also withdrawn before halftime in France's 1-0 friendly win against Uruguay. The forward fell awkwardly on his right shoulder after a challenge from Uruguay goalkeeper Marin Campana.

Brazil's Neymar says injury not serious

Mohamed Salah scored a last-minute winner as Egypt came from behind to end Tunisia's 100 percent record in African Nations Cup qualifying with a 3-2 win in Alexandria on Friday.

Morocco beat Cameroon 2-0 in Casablanca and are now one point from a place in next year’s finals while tiny Burundi moved a step closer to qualification for the first time with a 5-2 away win over South Sudan.

Egypt and Tunisia had already secured their places at the finals by making sure of the top two spots in Group J but their clash was still bristling with tension after last week's victory for Tunisian club Esperance over Cairo’s Al Ahly in the African Champions League final.

Naim Sliti scored the opener for Tunisia after 13 minutes but Egypt were level at the break after Mahmoud "Trezeguet" Hassan equalised with a deflected shot.

Baher El Mohamady put Egypt ahead with a 59th-minute header but fellow defender Ahmed Hegazy handed Sliti the chance to score his second with a poor clearance 18 minutes from time.

Salah, who had a quiet match, then produced yet another last-gasp winner for his country in the 90th minute with a deft chip over the goalkeeper after a quick interchange of passes.

Tunisia remained top of the group on the head-to-head countback with both countries on 12 points from five matches. Egypt have now won four matches since the World Cup in Russia under new coach Javier Aguirre.

A hat-trick from Abdul Razak Fiston inspired Burundi to a comfortable win over South Sudan in Juba and top place in Group C with nine points from five games.

Mali, on eight points, and Gabon, with seven, meet in Libreville on Saturday in the penultimate round of matches.

Burundi, reinforced in recent matches by Saido Berahino’s decision to switch international allegiance from England, would need a result at home to Gabon in their last qualifier in March to finish in the top two places and book a place in June’s finals in Cameroon.

Berahino and Cedric Hamissi scored Burundi’s other goals while Atak Lual and Dominic Aboy Koni got South Sudan’s first goals of the campaign, although they remained without any points.

Morocco's Hakim Ziyech netted a 54th-minute penalty and struck with a shot from outside the box 12 minutes later to settle the heavyweight clash against Cameroon in Casablanca.

Cameroon are playing preliminaries despite qualifying for the tournament as hosts.

Nations Cup qualifying continues across Africa on Saturday and Sunday with more countries set to join Cameroon, Egypt, Madagascar, Senegal and Tunisia in the 24-team finals line-up.

Mohamed Salah scored a last-minute winner as Egypt came from behind to end Tunisia's 100 percent record in African Nations Cup qualifying with a 3-2 win in Alexandria on Friday.

Mohamed Salah scored a last-minute winner as Egypt came from behind to end Tunisia's 100 percent record in African Nations Cup qualifying with a 3-2 win in Alexandria on Friday. Morocco beat Cameroon 2-0 in Casablanca and are now one point from a place in next year’s finals while tiny Burundi moved a step closer to qualification for the first time with a 5-2 away win over South Sudan. Egypt and Tunisia had already secured their places at the finals by making sure of the top two spots in Group J but their clash was still bristling with tension after last week's victory for Tunisian club Esperance over Cairo’s Al Ahly in the African Champions League final. Naim Sliti scored the opener for Tunisia after 13 minutes but Egypt were level at the break after Mahmoud "Trezeguet" Hassan equalised with a deflected shot. Baher El Mohamady put Egypt ahead with a 59th-minute header but fellow defender Ahmed Hegazy handed Sliti the chance to score his second with a poor clearance 18 minutes from time. Salah, who had a quiet match, then produced yet another last-gasp winner for his country in the 90th minute with a deft chip over the goalkeeper after a quick interchange of passes. Tunisia remained top of the group on the head-to-head countback with both countries on 12 points from five matches. Egypt have now won four matches since the World Cup in Russia under new coach Javier Aguirre. A hat-trick from Abdul Razak Fiston inspired Burundi to a comfortable win over South Sudan in Juba and top place in Group C with nine points from five games. Mali, on eight points, and Gabon, with seven, meet in Libreville on Saturday in the penultimate round of matches. Burundi, reinforced in recent matches by Saido Berahino’s decision to switch international allegiance from England, would need a result at home to Gabon in their last qualifier in March to finish in the top two places and book a place in June’s finals in Cameroon. Berahino and Cedric Hamissi scored Burundi’s other goals while Atak Lual and Dominic Aboy Koni got South Sudan’s first goals of the campaign, although they remained without any points. Morocco's Hakim Ziyech netted a 54th-minute penalty and struck with a shot from outside the box 12 minutes later to settle the heavyweight clash against Cameroon in Casablanca. Cameroon are playing preliminaries despite qualifying for the tournament as hosts. Nations Cup qualifying continues across Africa on Saturday and Sunday with more countries set to join Cameroon, Egypt, Madagascar, Senegal and Tunisia in the 24-team finals line-up.

Salah scores late winner for Egypt, Morocco sink Cameroon

Seventy-nine school pupils <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/several-children-including-school-principal-abducted-in-cameroon-175673">abducted by gunmen</a> this week in a troubled English-speaking region of Cameroon have been freed, the country's communications minister told AFP Wednesday.

"All 79 students have been released," said Issa Bakary Tchiroma, without giving details of the circumstances under which they were set free.

The kidnappings on Monday were the first such mass abductions seen in Cameroon and coincide with an upsurge of political tensions in the majority French-speaking country.

The students were enrolled at the Presbyterian Secondary School in Bamenda, capital of Cameroon's Northwest Region -- one of two areas where surging anglophone separatist militancy has been met with a brutal crackdown by authorities.

Their release comes a day after Cameroon's 85-year-old President Paul Biya was sworn in for a seventh term in office.

Biya has promised to pursue policies of decentralisation to address "frustrations and aspirations" in English-speaking regions.

A six-minute video seen by AFP on Monday, but which could not be confirmed independently, showed 11 boys apparently aged about 15 giving their identity and name of the school in English, and adding that they were abducted by the "Amba Boys" -- a name for anglophone separatists.

Seventy-nine school pupils abducted by gunmen this week in a troubled English-speaking region of Cameroon have been freed, the country's communications minister told AFP Wednesday.

Seventy-nine school pupils abducted by gunmen this week in a troubled English-speaking region of Cameroon have been freed, the country's communications minister told AFP Wednesday. "All 79 students have been released," said Issa Bakary Tchiroma, without giving details of the circumstances under which they were set free. The kidnappings on Monday were the first such mass abductions seen in Cameroon and coincide with an upsurge of political tensions in the majority French-speaking country. The students were enrolled at the Presbyterian Secondary School in Bamenda, capital of Cameroon's Northwest Region -- one of two areas where surging anglophone separatist militancy has been met with a brutal crackdown by authorities. Their release comes a day after Cameroon's 85-year-old President Paul Biya was sworn in for a seventh term in office. Biya has promised to pursue policies of decentralisation to address "frustrations and aspirations" in English-speaking regions. A six-minute video seen by AFP on Monday, but which could not be confirmed independently, showed 11 boys apparently aged about 15 giving their identity and name of the school in English, and adding that they were abducted by the "Amba Boys" -- a name for anglophone separatists.

79 schoolchildren abducted in Cameroon freed: Minister

79 students kidnapped in Cameroon

More than 80 people, mostly children, were kidnapped from a school in the city of Bamenda in western Cameroon early on Monday, government and military sources said.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the abduction in the English-speaking region where separatists are fighting to form a breakaway state.

The separatists have imposed curfews and closed down schools as part of their protest against President Paul Biya's French-speaking government.

"In total 81 people were kidnapped including the school&nbsp;principal. They were taken to the bush," a military source told Reuters.

A government spokesman said it was keeping track of an event but that it could not comment further.

The separatist movement gathered pace in 2017 after a government crackdown on peaceful demonstrations. Many people have fled Bamenda and other centres to seek refuge in more peaceful Francophone regions.

More than 80 people, mostly children, were kidnapped from a school in the city of Bamenda in western Cameroon early on Monday, government and military sources said.

More than 80 people, mostly children, were kidnapped from a school in the city of Bamenda in western Cameroon early on Monday, government and military sources said. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the abduction in the English-speaking region where separatists are fighting to form a breakaway state. The separatists have imposed curfews and closed down schools as part of their protest against President Paul Biya's French-speaking government. "In total 81 people were kidnapped including the school principal. They were taken to the bush," a military source told Reuters. A government spokesman said it was keeping track of an event but that it could not comment further. The separatist movement gathered pace in 2017 after a government crackdown on peaceful demonstrations. Many people have fled Bamenda and other centres to seek refuge in more peaceful Francophone regions.

Several children including school principal abducted in Cameroon

Cameroon opposition candidate Maurice Kamto has called for an independent recount of last month's presidential poll, urging the international community to "assume its responsibilities."

Kamto, who according to official results, came second with 14.23 per cent of the vote behind incumbent Paul Biya, posted the appeal online in a video late on Friday.&nbsp;

He called for an independent, international committee accepted by all sides to carry out the recount and vowed to abide by its conclusions.

Kamto, who had claimed victory the day after the October 7 election some two weeks before the official results were in, has been denounced as an "outlaw" by the government.

But he insists that the count was marred by widespread fraud and that the Constitutional Council's decision to declare Biya the victor was completely at odds with the true result.

"We will never accept the results proclaimed by a biased Constitutional Council," he said, adding that he would campaign peacefully against the official result.

Kamto, a 64-year-old lawyer and leader of the Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC), called on other opposition leaders to join his campaign.

Kamto was one of seven candidates seeking to unseat President Paul Biya, who has ruled the West African country for 35 years.&nbsp;

According to official results, Biya was returned to power with 71.2 per cent. He is due to be sworn in on Tuesday.

Cameroon opposition candidate Maurice Kamto has called for an independent recount of last month's presidential poll, urging the international community to "assume its responsibilities.

Cameroon opposition candidate Maurice Kamto has called for an independent recount of last month's presidential poll, urging the international community to "assume its responsibilities." Kamto, who according to official results, came second with 14.23 per cent of the vote behind incumbent Paul Biya, posted the appeal online in a video late on Friday. He called for an independent, international committee accepted by all sides to carry out the recount and vowed to abide by its conclusions. Kamto, who had claimed victory the day after the October 7 election some two weeks before the official results were in, has been denounced as an "outlaw" by the government. But he insists that the count was marred by widespread fraud and that the Constitutional Council's decision to declare Biya the victor was completely at odds with the true result. "We will never accept the results proclaimed by a biased Constitutional Council," he said, adding that he would campaign peacefully against the official result. Kamto, a 64-year-old lawyer and leader of the Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC), called on other opposition leaders to join his campaign. Kamto was one of seven candidates seeking to unseat President Paul Biya, who has ruled the West African country for 35 years. According to official results, Biya was returned to power with 71.2 per cent. He is due to be sworn in on Tuesday.

Cameroon challenger Kamto calls for presidential vote recount

A leading opposition challenger to President Paul Biya claimed victory on Monday following Cameroon's presidential polls despite a government warning not to announce unofficial results.

"I was charged with taking a penalty, I took it and I scored," said Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC) candidate Maurice Kamto at a media conference in Yaounde.

"I have received a clear mandate from the people and I intend to defend it until the end."

By law, each polling station must submit its results, after verification by the Elecam electoral commission, to the Constitutional Court which is responsible for announcing the final, official tally within 15 days.

Ahead of the polls, Kamto formed a coalition with the marginal opposition People's Development Front (FDP) but was still seen as unlikely to threaten Biya's 35-year grip on power as the other six opposition hopefuls stayed away.

The main opposition Social Democratic Front contender Joshua Osih did not participate in the eleventh-hour tie-up.

A leading opposition challenger to President Paul Biya claimed victory on Monday following Cameroon's presidential polls despite a government warning not to announce unofficial results.

A leading opposition challenger to President Paul Biya claimed victory on Monday following Cameroon's presidential polls despite a government warning not to announce unofficial results. "I was charged with taking a penalty, I took it and I scored," said Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC) candidate Maurice Kamto at a media conference in Yaounde. "I have received a clear mandate from the people and I intend to defend it until the end." By law, each polling station must submit its results, after verification by the Elecam electoral commission, to the Constitutional Court which is responsible for announcing the final, official tally within 15 days. Ahead of the polls, Kamto formed a coalition with the marginal opposition People's Development Front (FDP) but was still seen as unlikely to threaten Biya's 35-year grip on power as the other six opposition hopefuls stayed away. The main opposition Social Democratic Front contender Joshua Osih did not participate in the eleventh-hour tie-up.

Cameroon opposition contender Maurice Kamto claims poll win

Yaound, Oct 7 (AFP) Cameroonians are voting in crunch presidential polls on Sunday, with octogenarian leader Paul Biya seeking a seventh term against a backdrop of unprecedented violence in the country's English-speaking regions.

The vote follows a last-minute opposition unity bid to dislodge the 85-year-old incumbent, one of Africa's longest-serving rulers.

Two leading opponents have formed the first electoral union since 1992, but talks between the array of other opposition parties to create a "super-coalition" to deny Biya another seven years were apparently fruitless.

In the Bastos public school in the capital Yaounde, where Biya will later cast his vote, voting was brisk throughout the morning.

"I feel proud," said Patrick, 38, an airport worker after voting. "I want the next president to consolidate what we have achieved in Cameroon. I want the elections to pass off peacefully, that's my only hope for the polls."

Voters in the queue were surrounded by a heavy security presence including members of the presidential guard, deployed ahead of Biya's arrival.

Cameroon's 6.5 million eligible voters are casting their ballots as violence rages in the anglophone southwest and northwest, which have been rocked by a separatist insurgency launched a year ago against the mainly francophone state.

The violence has claimed the lives of at least 420 civilians, 175 members of the security forces and an unknown number of separatists, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG) think-tank.

After voting got underway on Sunday, security forces shot dead three suspected separatists who had allegedly been firing at passersby from a motorcycle in Bamenda, the main city in the northwest region, a local official said.

And in Buea, capital of the southwest, three separatists of the so-called Ambazonia Republic were gunned down on Friday while a priest was executed by soldiers on Thursday, according to witnesses.

The far north is also mired in insecurity, as Nigeria-based Boko Haram fighters mount attacks despite efforts by the US to equip and train Cameroon's military to battle the jihadists.

In a rare coordinated political manoeuvre, a key opposition frontrunner, Maurice Kamto, agreed late Friday to a unity deal between his Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC) and the People's Development Front (FDP), meaning he will stand for both parties.

It is the first tactical tie-up since John Fru Ndi stood as the sole opposition candidate in 1992 in polls that his supporters say he won, but allege were manipulated to hand victory to Biya.

However, it is unclear whether the eleventh-hour deal will sway the vote, which runs until 1700 GMT Sunday.

"This alliance, though interesting for the vitality of Cameroonian democracy, may have arrived too late," said Hans de Marie Heungoup, an ICG researcher.

Kamto's MRC has warned that a "massive fraud" is underway to secure a Biya win.

"We're not preparing for war, but wherever there is fraud, there will be a firm response," said MRC spokesman Paul-Eric Kingue.

But the government hit back, apparently in response to the MRC, saying that it would "not tolerate any disorder before, during or after the presidential vote".

The opposition has long accused the authorities of supporting Biya. But despite the ubiquity of Biya's posters, he has been virtually invisible during the campaign, except for a single event last weekend.

It is unclear if polling will proceed normally across Cameroon's English-speaking regions, where separatists hold a "significant" amount of territory, according to the ICG, and have threatened to disrupt the vote.

A team of election officials received a military escort as they travelled to the outskirts of Buea on Sunday, according to AFP journalists.

The government said it was possible there were "troublemakers" in the anglophone regions.

"But the vast majority of residents are ready and willing to vote," said Communication Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary.

Authorities have imposed a raft of security measured including a ban on inter-regional and sealing the borders.

A total of 246,000 people have fled their homes in the southwest and 25,000 have left the country altogether for Nigeria, according to UN figures.

It is thought that the displaced will struggle to cast ballots, which could favour Biya as anglophones have traditionally backed the Social Democratic Front (SDF) party of candidate Joshua Osih.

Results must be posted within 15 calendar days of the poll.&nbsp;

Yaound, Oct 7 (AFP) Cameroonians are voting in crunch presidential polls on Sunday, with octogenarian leader Paul Biya seeking a seventh term against a backdrop of unprecedented violence in the country's English-speaking regions.

Yaound, Oct 7 (AFP) Cameroonians are voting in crunch presidential polls on Sunday, with octogenarian leader Paul Biya seeking a seventh term against a backdrop of unprecedented violence in the country's English-speaking regions. The vote follows a last-minute opposition unity bid to dislodge the 85-year-old incumbent, one of Africa's longest-serving rulers. Two leading opponents have formed the first electoral union since 1992, but talks between the array of other opposition parties to create a "super-coalition" to deny Biya another seven years were apparently fruitless. In the Bastos public school in the capital Yaounde, where Biya will later cast his vote, voting was brisk throughout the morning. "I feel proud," said Patrick, 38, an airport worker after voting. "I want the next president to consolidate what we have achieved in Cameroon. I want the elections to pass off peacefully, that's my only hope for the polls." Voters in the queue were surrounded by a heavy security presence including members of the presidential guard, deployed ahead of Biya's arrival. Cameroon's 6.5 million eligible voters are casting their ballots as violence rages in the anglophone southwest and northwest, which have been rocked by a separatist insurgency launched a year ago against the mainly francophone state. The violence has claimed the lives of at least 420 civilians, 175 members of the security forces and an unknown number of separatists, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG) think-tank. After voting got underway on Sunday, security forces shot dead three suspected separatists who had allegedly been firing at passersby from a motorcycle in Bamenda, the main city in the northwest region, a local official said. And in Buea, capital of the southwest, three separatists of the so-called Ambazonia Republic were gunned down on Friday while a priest was executed by soldiers on Thursday, according to witnesses. The far north is also mired in insecurity, as Nigeria-based Boko Haram fighters mount attacks despite efforts by the US to equip and train Cameroon's military to battle the jihadists. In a rare coordinated political manoeuvre, a key opposition frontrunner, Maurice Kamto, agreed late Friday to a unity deal between his Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC) and the People's Development Front (FDP), meaning he will stand for both parties. It is the first tactical tie-up since John Fru Ndi stood as the sole opposition candidate in 1992 in polls that his supporters say he won, but allege were manipulated to hand victory to Biya. However, it is unclear whether the eleventh-hour deal will sway the vote, which runs until 1700 GMT Sunday. "This alliance, though interesting for the vitality of Cameroonian democracy, may have arrived too late," said Hans de Marie Heungoup, an ICG researcher. Kamto's MRC has warned that a "massive fraud" is underway to secure a Biya win. "We're not preparing for war, but wherever there is fraud, there will be a firm response," said MRC spokesman Paul-Eric Kingue. But the government hit back, apparently in response to the MRC, saying that it would "not tolerate any disorder before, during or after the presidential vote". The opposition has long accused the authorities of supporting Biya. But despite the ubiquity of Biya's posters, he has been virtually invisible during the campaign, except for a single event last weekend. It is unclear if polling will proceed normally across Cameroon's English-speaking regions, where separatists hold a "significant" amount of territory, according to the ICG, and have threatened to disrupt the vote. A team of election officials received a military escort as they travelled to the outskirts of Buea on Sunday, according to AFP journalists. The government said it was possible there were "troublemakers" in the anglophone regions. "But the vast majority of residents are ready and willing to vote," said Communication Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary. Authorities have imposed a raft of security measured including a ban on inter-regional and sealing the borders. A total of 246,000 people have fled their homes in the southwest and 25,000 have left the country altogether for Nigeria, according to UN figures. It is thought that the displaced will struggle to cast ballots, which could favour Biya as anglophones have traditionally backed the Social Democratic Front (SDF) party of candidate Joshua Osih. Results must be posted within 15 calendar days of the poll.

Cameroon votes in presidential polls as conflict rages

The death toll in the Cameroon train disaster went up to 79&nbsp;on Monday, according to authorities. Nearly 600 people were injured when a packed train derailed between Cameroon&#39;s two main cities on Friday.

On Sunday, 11 more bodies were pulled from the debris of the packed passenger train.

&quot;We have received between 60 and 70 bodies at the station this morning,&quot; a railway official who asked not to be identified told AFP in Yaounde on Sunday. The train, travelling from the capital Yaounde to the economic hub of Douala, came off the rails near the central city of Eseka at around midday on Friday.

Distraught relatives desperately sought news of missing loved ones with the injured scattered between different hospitals. &nbsp;

&quot;Some of the wounded are arriving unconscious. We think the death toll will rise,&quot; said a railway official. Authorities are working tirelessly to cope with the scale of the disaster.&nbsp;

Health minister Alim Garga Hayatou after visiting some of the injured said that more information would be released &quot;once we are in control of the whole situation&quot;.

He had no information on nationalities although the French foreign ministry said one French national was among the dead.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the causes of the crash. The rail operator Camrail, a subsidiary of French investment group Bollore, said the company was doing everything necessary to &quot;deal with the injured and ensure support for the families affected by the tragedy&quot;.&nbsp;

The train was crammed with people as a collapsed bridge had made travelling the same route by road impossible. The road bridge that collapsed on Thursday night as a result of heavy rain reopened to traffic in both directions on Saturday after emergency work.

The road is one of the busiest in the country and one of the main commercial routes in central Africa, carrying trade towards landlocked Chad and the Central African Republic.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Cameroon President declared a national day of mourning on Saturday to commemorate those killed in the passenger train crash

The death toll in the Cameroon train disaster went up to 79 on Monday, according to authorities. Nearly 600 people were injured when a packed train derailed between Cameroon's two main cities on Friday. On Sunday, 11 more bodies were pulled from the debris of the packed passenger train. "We have received between 60 and 70 bodies at the station this morning," a railway official who asked not to be identified told AFP in Yaounde on Sunday. The train, travelling from the capital Yaounde to the economic hub of Douala, came off the rails near the central city of Eseka at around midday on Friday. Distraught relatives desperately sought news of missing loved ones with the injured scattered between different hospitals. "Some of the wounded are arriving unconscious. We think the death toll will rise," said a railway official. Authorities are working tirelessly to cope with the scale of the disaster. Health minister Alim Garga Hayatou after visiting some of the injured said that more information would be released "once we are in control of the whole situation". He had no information on nationalities although the French foreign ministry said one French national was among the dead. Investigations are ongoing to determine the causes of the crash. The rail operator Camrail, a subsidiary of French investment group Bollore, said the company was doing everything necessary to "deal with the injured and ensure support for the families affected by the tragedy". The train was crammed with people as a collapsed bridge had made travelling the same route by road impossible. The road bridge that collapsed on Thursday night as a result of heavy rain reopened to traffic in both directions on Saturday after emergency work. The road is one of the busiest in the country and one of the main commercial routes in central Africa, carrying trade towards landlocked Chad and the Central African Republic. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Cameroon train crash death toll crosses 79

Fourteen people remained trapped on Friday under the wreckage of a packed passenger train that derailed en route between Cameroon&#39;s two largest cities, killing at least 55 and injuring 575, the government said in a communique read on state television.

The Camrail inter-city train was travelling from the capital, Yaounde, to the port city of Douala when the accident occurred around 11 am local time (1000 GMT) near the train station in the town of Eseka, around 120 km (75 miles) west of the capital.

&quot;There was a loud noise. I looked back and the wagons behind us left the rails and started rolling over and over. There was a lot of smoke,&quot; said a Reuters journalist travelling in a wagon near the front of the train.

Before its departure from Yaounde, he said that a railway employee said additional wagons had been added to the train to accommodate extra passengers, though it was unclear if that played a role in the accident.

The collapse of a section of the main highway between the capital and Douala had prompted increased numbers of passengers to undertake the journey by rail. The two incidents, which occurred on the same day, have now effectively cut the main transportation axis in the Central African country of over 22 million.

&quot;There are the bodies of women, children. There are many,&quot; said one employee of Camrail, which is operated by France&#39;s Bollore, speaking from the scene of the accident. He said three of his colleagues were among the victims.

Joel Bineli, a passenger on the derailed train, told Reuters he saw dismembered bodies on the tracks at the accident site.

Social media users posted photos taken at the scene of the accident which showed several wagons overturned on a slope beside the rail line.

&quot;Rescue workers arrived and they are pulling bodies from the wagon. I&#39;ve already counted around 40 bodies they&#39;ve removed,&quot; said Rachelle Paden, another passenger.

Camrail said it had sent teams to the site and the injured were being transported to a local hospital. Others were driven to Douala. It expressed its condolences to victims&#39; families in a post on its official Facebook page.

A Bollore spokesman confirmed that an accident had occurred, but offered no further details.

Many rail lines in West and Central Africa have a reputation for poor maintenance and failing to respect safety norms. Derailments are relatively common.

Though Bollore is generally viewed as a reliable operator, it experienced another major incident last month when part of a bridge along a line it controls in Ivory Coast collapsed under the weight of a freight train.

(Reuters)

The incident happened at around 11 am local time on Friday. Fourteen people remained trapped under the wreckage till Friday

Fourteen people remained trapped on Friday under the wreckage of a packed passenger train that derailed en route between Cameroon's two largest cities, killing at least 55 and injuring 575, the government said in a communique read on state television. The Camrail inter-city train was travelling from the capital, Yaounde, to the port city of Douala when the accident occurred around 11 am local time (1000 GMT) near the train station in the town of Eseka, around 120 km (75 miles) west of the capital. "There was a loud noise. I looked back and the wagons behind us left the rails and started rolling over and over. There was a lot of smoke," said a Reuters journalist travelling in a wagon near the front of the train. Before its departure from Yaounde, he said that a railway employee said additional wagons had been added to the train to accommodate extra passengers, though it was unclear if that played a role in the accident. The collapse of a section of the main highway between the capital and Douala had prompted increased numbers of passengers to undertake the journey by rail. The two incidents, which occurred on the same day, have now effectively cut the main transportation axis in the Central African country of over 22 million. "There are the bodies of women, children. There are many," said one employee of Camrail, which is operated by France's Bollore, speaking from the scene of the accident. He said three of his colleagues were among the victims. Joel Bineli, a passenger on the derailed train, told Reuters he saw dismembered bodies on the tracks at the accident site. Social media users posted photos taken at the scene of the accident which showed several wagons overturned on a slope beside the rail line. "Rescue workers arrived and they are pulling bodies from the wagon. I've already counted around 40 bodies they've removed," said Rachelle Paden, another passenger. Camrail said it had sent teams to the site and the injured were being transported to a local hospital. Others were driven to Douala. It expressed its condolences to victims' families in a post on its official Facebook page. A Bollore spokesman confirmed that an accident had occurred, but offered no further details. Many rail lines in West and Central Africa have a reputation for poor maintenance and failing to respect safety norms. Derailments are relatively common. Though Bollore is generally viewed as a reliable operator, it experienced another major incident last month when part of a bridge along a line it controls in Ivory Coast collapsed under the weight of a freight train. (Reuters)

At least 55 dead, 575 injured in Cameroon train derailment

Nigerian troops on Wednesday claimed they had recaptured a town on the shores of Lake Chad from Boko Haram militants.&nbsp; 
 
The regional troops have been fighting the militant group over control of Mallam Fatori.&nbsp; 
 
Army spokesman Sani Usman said a fierce battle ensued backed by air support that resulted in the deaths of several Boko Haram militants.&nbsp; 
 
He said its troops and counterparts from the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) had captured the town.&nbsp; 
 
The MNJTF is made up of soldiers from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin. 
 
But the terrorists moved in with reinforcements around the border with Niger while the troops were consolidating on the success.&nbsp; 
 
The militant group claimed to have inflicted heavy casualties.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;This offensive led to the death of more than 40 soldiers and left tens of others injured,&quot; it said in a statement posted on social media. 
 
The town of Mallam Fatori in the Borno state was liberated in March last year as part of a regional counter-offensive against the militants.&nbsp; 
 
There have been an increasing number of attacks in southeast Niger in recent weeks, an indication the rebels have regrouped and switched focus. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The Nigerian army launched an offensive to capture the town of Mallam Fatori when Boko Haram militants moved in with reinforcements

Nigerian troops on Wednesday claimed they had recaptured a town on the shores of Lake Chad from Boko Haram militants. The regional troops have been fighting the militant group over control of Mallam Fatori. Army spokesman Sani Usman said a fierce battle ensued backed by air support that resulted in the deaths of several Boko Haram militants. He said its troops and counterparts from the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) had captured the town. The MNJTF is made up of soldiers from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin. But the terrorists moved in with reinforcements around the border with Niger while the troops were consolidating on the success. The militant group claimed to have inflicted heavy casualties. "This offensive led to the death of more than 40 soldiers and left tens of others injured," it said in a statement posted on social media. The town of Mallam Fatori in the Borno state was liberated in March last year as part of a regional counter-offensive against the militants. There have been an increasing number of attacks in southeast Niger in recent weeks, an indication the rebels have regrouped and switched focus. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Nigerian army battles Boko Haram militants to retake town in northeast

Serbian Milovan Rajevac has been appointed the new coach of Algeria, the country&#39;s football federation has confirmed. 
 
Rajevac came close to helping Ghana, who became the first African side to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2010 and takes over from Christian Gourcuff, who resigned in April ahead of a move to French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais. 
 
Rajevac, 62, will be expected to lead Algeria to the World Cup in Russia but faces a difficult qualification group that also contains Nigeria, Cameroon and Zambia. Only the top team advances to the finals. 
 
Algeria have already qualified for the African Nations Cup finals in Gabon starting next January. 
 
(Reuters)

He takes over from Christian Gourcuff who resigned in April ahead of a move to French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais

Serbian Milovan Rajevac has been appointed the new coach of Algeria, the country's football federation has confirmed. Rajevac came close to helping Ghana, who became the first African side to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2010 and takes over from Christian Gourcuff, who resigned in April ahead of a move to French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais. Rajevac, 62, will be expected to lead Algeria to the World Cup in Russia but faces a difficult qualification group that also contains Nigeria, Cameroon and Zambia. Only the top team advances to the finals. Algeria have already qualified for the African Nations Cup finals in Gabon starting next January. (Reuters)

Milovan Rajevac confirmed as new coach of Algeria

The United Nations has made the first food aid delivery to thousands of people displaced by Boko Haram Islamists in the Nigerian town of Banki, where hundreds have starved to death since March, the UN said on Friday. 
 
Officials from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) delivered 30 tonnes of &quot;various lifesaving food items&quot; transported from neighbouring Cameroon, the OCHA said in a statement.&nbsp;The convoy reached Banki on Thursday and distributed food to the more than 25,000 people in the town, it said. 
 
&quot;An additional 700 kilograms of supplementary food for malnourished children was airlifted from the state capital Maiduguri to Banki on the same day.&quot;&nbsp;It was the first aid delivery to the thousands of internally displaced in the northeast region in the last four months following deadly Boko Haram raids. 
 
They have been without food and basic supplies and relied on paltry food handouts from soldiers who have been sharing their rations.&nbsp;Last month a soldier and a vigilante assisting the military in fighting Boko Haram told AFP at least 10 people were dying from hunger every day, highlighting warnings about a food crisis in the Sahel region. 
 
The vigilante said the cemetery in Banki, some 130 kilometres (80 miles) southeast of the Borno state capital Maiduguri, was dotted with 376 graves of displaced people who died of starvation.&nbsp;The soldier said people had been reduced to &quot;walking corpses&quot; facing imminent death without food aid. 
 
When Boko Haram intensified attacks on villages in the area, residents fled to Banki where a military detachment has been based since they retook it in September.&nbsp;The United Nations said in May that 9.2 million people living around Lake Chad, which forms the border of Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger, were in desperate need of food. 
 
According to the OCHA aid distribution in Banki and other areas recently liberated by the Nigerian military was &quot;scaling up&quot; but more funds were needed to meet the &quot;lifesaving needs&quot; of people affected by Boko Haram violence in northeast Nigeria. 
 
Only 28 per cent of the $279 million required by the UN to help those affected by the violence has been realised, leaving a $200 million shortfall. 
 
The Borno state government and aid agencies have warned about acute food shortages in the Lake Chad region as a result of seven years of violence. 
 
Boko Haram&#39;s insurgency has left at least 20,000 dead in Nigeria and devastated infrastructure in the impoverished northeast. The unrest has also displaced more than 2.6 million.&nbsp;Nigeria&#39;s government has been encouraging people to return home since the recapture of swathes of territory lost to the Islamist militants in 2014 but most are still largely reliant on food handouts. 
 
There have been concerns about high death rates from severe acute malnutrition in camps for the internally displaced, while it is feared some inaccessible areas could be suffering from famine.&nbsp;A UN official compared the situation with the crisis in Darfur and South Sudan. 
 
(AFP)

The camps have seen high death rates from severe acute malnutrition in camps, even famine. A UN official compared it to the Darfur crisis

The United Nations has made the first food aid delivery to thousands of people displaced by Boko Haram Islamists in the Nigerian town of Banki, where hundreds have starved to death since March, the UN said on Friday. Officials from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) delivered 30 tonnes of "various lifesaving food items" transported from neighbouring Cameroon, the OCHA said in a statement. The convoy reached Banki on Thursday and distributed food to the more than 25,000 people in the town, it said. "An additional 700 kilograms of supplementary food for malnourished children was airlifted from the state capital Maiduguri to Banki on the same day." It was the first aid delivery to the thousands of internally displaced in the northeast region in the last four months following deadly Boko Haram raids. They have been without food and basic supplies and relied on paltry food handouts from soldiers who have been sharing their rations. Last month a soldier and a vigilante assisting the military in fighting Boko Haram told AFP at least 10 people were dying from hunger every day, highlighting warnings about a food crisis in the Sahel region. The vigilante said the cemetery in Banki, some 130 kilometres (80 miles) southeast of the Borno state capital Maiduguri, was dotted with 376 graves of displaced people who died of starvation. The soldier said people had been reduced to "walking corpses" facing imminent death without food aid. When Boko Haram intensified attacks on villages in the area, residents fled to Banki where a military detachment has been based since they retook it in September. The United Nations said in May that 9.2 million people living around Lake Chad, which forms the border of Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger, were in desperate need of food. According to the OCHA aid distribution in Banki and other areas recently liberated by the Nigerian military was "scaling up" but more funds were needed to meet the "lifesaving needs" of people affected by Boko Haram violence in northeast Nigeria. Only 28 per cent of the $279 million required by the UN to help those affected by the violence has been realised, leaving a $200 million shortfall. The Borno state government and aid agencies have warned about acute food shortages in the Lake Chad region as a result of seven years of violence. Boko Haram's insurgency has left at least 20,000 dead in Nigeria and devastated infrastructure in the impoverished northeast. The unrest has also displaced more than 2.6 million. Nigeria's government has been encouraging people to return home since the recapture of swathes of territory lost to the Islamist militants in 2014 but most are still largely reliant on food handouts. There have been concerns about high death rates from severe acute malnutrition in camps for the internally displaced, while it is feared some inaccessible areas could be suffering from famine. A UN official compared the situation with the crisis in Darfur and South Sudan. (AFP)

UN delivers food to starving displaced by Boko Haram

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