Cameroon farm to tackle global food insecurity

Hardly a week goes by in Cameroon without a video emerging that documents violence against gay or transgender people. Our Observers, LGBT rights activists, brought this worrying phenomenon to our attention. In this episode of The Observers Direct, we visited them on the ground to see how they help victims and fight to change public attitudes.

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to impact crucial food exports, wheat prices are soaring. Many African countries rely on Ukrainian and Russian grain exports and could face a severe food crisis. But in Cameroon, entrepreneurs are coming up with alternatives to wheat, which is used to make flour. Production of bread and cakes made from local cassava and sweet potato flour is now booming. These tubers are abundant in the country but are normally used unprocessed in traditional dishes. Our correspondents report.

On tonight's show, our reporters bring you the latest from South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a national state of disaster over the deadly floods on the east coast, warning that rebuilding even basic services will take time. Around the city of Durban, at least 443 people have died, with 48 still missing. Some 10,000 troops have been deployed to help restore power and water and search for the missing.

According to the UN World Food Programme, the war in Ukraine is creating a local agricultural and global food supply catastrophe beyond anything seen since World War II. Some 30 percent of the world's wheat supply comes from the region, with some African and Middle Eastern countries depending on Russia or Ukraine for up to 80 percent of their wheat imports. Rabah Arezki, former chief economist for the MENA region at the World Bank, joined us on Perspective to tell us more.

Domestic violence is on the rise, but under-reported in Cameroon. Campaigners say official figures account for only a fraction of the women who have suffered - or even died - at the hands of their partners. And for those seeking justice, advocates say successful prosecutions are rare due to the failings and corruption within Cameroon's judicial system.

To mark the opening of its new exhibition "On the Road to Chiefdoms of Cameroon", Paris's Musée du Quai Branly gave multidisciplinary Cameroonian artist Blick Bassy carte blanche. His first move was to invite Cameroonian musicians Kareyce Fotso, Ami Yerewolo and Poundo to put on a concert. For him, these three women represent the contemporary African new wave, with a dynamic vision of how to celebrate African culture around the world – including an important role for fashion.

A snakebite to the farm owner led German police to finding more than 110 snakes. The woman who was poisoned is in a critical condition in hospital.

A report by Human Rights Watch has accused Anglophone rebels of "kidnapping, terrorizing and killing civilians" in parts of the country.

Macron is in a unique position to urge his opposite number, Paul Biya, to embrace inclusive peace talks to end the nearly six-year conflict devastating Cameroon's Anglophone regions, writes Rebecca Tinsley.

French President Emmanuel Macron began a three-country African tour Tuesday. He promised more defense cooperation and an honest look at the past.

Did you know that in Anglophone Cameroon, schoolkids don't wear uniforms? It's to avoid being identified by attackers. Also, they don't attend school on Mondays. Our teen reporter, 16-year-old Lum Precious, speaks with her peers in the first episode of GirlZOffMute from Cameroon. They appeal to President Paul Biya to act immediately so that kids no longer fear being attacked on their way to school

In Africa, greenhouse farm is becoming an alternative to fight food insecurity and high food prices caused by the Ukranian war. Specially in Cameroon, this agricultural technique, in which crops are cultivated under enclosed environment, can now help many families to afford food prices.