Octobers are notoriously fraught in Cameroon. In that month in 2016, teachers and lawyers in the country’s marginalised English-speaking regions protested against the imposition of French in their schools and courts.
In October 2017, thousands of Anglophone Cameroonians took to the streets to declare independence of a new country they called “Ambazonia”. The resulting crackdown overseen by President Paul Biya, who at 85 has ruled for 36 years, claimed the lives of at least 420 civilians, 175 military and police officers and countless separatist fighters.
And today, voters went to polls in a nation listed by Transparency International as one of the most corrupt on earth. Mr Biya hopes to secure his seventh term as president and, with a divided opposition and little hope of a fair process, few expect him to lose.
Among Cameroon's myriad problems, rising separatism in Anglophone regions is the most pressing. Ever since the country was united in 1972 following years of split British and French rule, Anglophones – who comprise a fifth of the population – have complained of marginalisation and oppression. The heavy hand with which governmental security forces have greeted their protests has only fuelled their cause.
And while the violence is largely between English-speaking militants and Francophone-led security forces, innocent civilians have been swept up in it. To date, more than 300,000 have been forced from their homes, many fleeing to neighbouring Nigeria.
With little animosity between the Francophone and Anglophone communities themselves, this conflict is politically driven. Behind it is the state's acknowledgement that the resources in Anglophone soil are central to Cameroon's economic survival – and its determination to retain them.
This scenario exists across the world, from Khuzestan in Iran and Basra in Iraq to the Niger Delta. Often the regions whose resources buttress national wealth are denied much-needed investment and support.
There is more to a nation than its resources and it is the duty of governments to ensure all are given an equal stake in society.
In truth, the only destiny that appears to matter to Mr Biya is his own. But while today's election may not be fair, it must occur without bloodshed. Because when governments mistreat minorities, separatists are emboldened, and all citizens suffer.
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
ENGLAND%20SQUAD
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A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Company%20profile
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Jurassic%20Park
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