Hopes That AFCON Can Help Stem Cameroon's Anglophone Conflict
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finally got under way in Yaounde in Cameroon on January 9, 2022. Home fans celebrated a successful AFCON start at the Olembe Stadium, which was limited to 80% capacity due to Covid-19. Access was restricted to fans with proof of vaccination and a negative PCR test.
But while hosting AFCON, Africa's soccer crown jewel, Cameroon has also been grappling with the ongoing conflict in the Anglophone regions. According to Amnesty International, fighting between various armed groups and the Cameroonian armed forces has continued unabated for the past three years, with civilians bearing the brunt of unlawful killings, kidnappings, and widespread destruction of houses and villages.
The AFCON tournament has been in existence since 1957 - making it the third oldest international tournament in the world after the Copa America (first held in 1916) and the World Cup (1930).
The AFCON "presents a good time to seek a soccer truce, under which all factions would pledge to cease hostilities for at least the duration of the Cup and possibly create the foundation for a new peacemaking effort," a Crisis Group statement says.
Cameroon vs Burkina Faso at AFCON 2021.
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Cameroon:
Drama, Delays and Domestic Unrest - Why Hosting AFCON Is So Important for Cameroon
The Conversation Africa, 11 January 2022
A year later than planned, due to COVID-19, the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) has successfully kicked off in Cameroon. The opening match of the 33rd edition of Afcon took… Read more »
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Burkina Faso/Cameroon:
Afcon Under Way As Hosts Cameroon Come From Behind to Beat Burkina Faso
DW, 9 January 2022
Three years later than originally planned, the Africa Cup of Nations finally got underway in Yaounde, Cameroon. Following the opening ceremony, the hosts got off to a winning start… Read more »
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Africa:
Match Facts - Morocco V Ghana
CAF, 9 January 2022
Giants Morocco and Ghana raise the curtain on Group C of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021 on Monday. Read more »
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Cameroon:
Christians and Muslims Pray for Peace in Cameroon During Afcon
VOA, 7 January 2022
Cameroonian officials have joined hundreds of Muslims and Christians in the capital, Yaoundé, to pray for peace during the Africa Football Cup of Nations games. Read more »
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Africa:
Match Facts - Comoros V Gabon
CAF, 9 January 2022
Comoros will start their first ever TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Gabon at the Yaounde based Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium. Read more »
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Africa:
Guinea V Malawi - a Ding-Dong Battle
CAF, 9 January 2022
Guinea will open their campaign at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021 against Malawi at Koeukong Stadium in Bafoussam on Monday in what is expected to be a… Read more »
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Africa:
Morocco V Ghana - Titans Clash Early
CAF, 9 January 2022
It is already on Monday that Group C will take action for the opening round of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021. The clash between Morocco and Ghana will be a… Read more »
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Africa:
Senegal V Zimbabwe - An Opening Date
CAF, 9 January 2022
West African giants Senegal have to cope with the tenacious COSAFA representative Zimbabwe in Group B opener of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021. Read more »
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Africa:
Comoros V Gabon - First Adventure for the Islanders
CAF, 9 January 2022
The Comoros' unprecedented qualification to the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021, was undoubtedly an authentic surprise to the most septic king-sport lovers,… Read more »
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Africa:
Match Facts - Guinea V Malawi
CAF, 9 January 2022
Guinea will open their campaign at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021 against Malawi at Koeukong Stadium in Bafoussam Read more »
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Africa:
Match Facts - Senegal V Zimbabwe
CAF, 9 January 2022
Senegal faces Zimbabwe as Group B of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Monday. Read more »
InFocus
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After months of problems and uncertainty, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicked off on Sunday, January 9, 2022, when host nation Cameroon played Burkina Faso. The world's ... Read more »
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Cameroon is hosting the continent's top soccer tournament beginning on January 9, 2022, but separatists have threatened to disrupt the games in the troubled Anglo Read more »
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The 33rd Africa Cup of Nations gets underway in Cameroon on January 9, 2022, having been delayed by a year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. These are the Read more »