Italy: Cameroonian nationals to protest near US Embassy in Rome August 19

Event

Some two dozen Cameroonian nationals are expected to protest in front of the old BNL building at the intersection of Via Vittorio Veneto and Via Leonida Bissolati (near the US Embassy) in Rome on Sunday, August 19, demanding that the US government take steps to help solve the ongoing crisis in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon. The demonstration is slated to begin at 13:00 (local time) and end around 14:00. A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are expected near the protest site.

Context

Tensions between Cameroon's minority English-speaking community and the national authorities in the Northwest and Southwest regions remain high. The period since November 2016 has been marked by the closure of all English-speaking schools, strikes, unrest, and sporadic violence. These tensions have escalated considerably since October 2017, when secessionists unilaterally proclaimed independence in the region. The fighting has forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee over the border into Nigeria.

Advice

Individuals in Rome are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.