'Silence is complicity' - top footballer hits out over Cameroon femicides

The killing of at least eight women in a week has sparked outrage in Cameroon, with many calling on the government to do more to protect women and girls.

Among those who have spoken out is renowned footballer Nchout Njoya Ajara, who has called for an end to the "tragic wave" of targeting women, saying "silence is complicity".

The government has also raised concern about the rise in attacks. At least 50 women have been killed between January and April this year, compared to 77 last year, according to official figures.

In the latest case on Tuesday, a 44-year-old woman was killed in a hotel room in the capital, Yaoundé. She was allegedly stabbed to death by a 22-year-old who was later arrested.

"Being a woman in Cameroon should never be a risk," said Ajara, who is one of Cameroon's greatest female footballers.

The 33-year-old striker has played professionally in Russia, Sweden, Norway, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia for clubs including Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan.

"In the face of the tragic wave of femicides that has hit our country in recent days, silence is complicity," Ajara said.

In a statement, the opposition Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) party said it was outraged by the "tragic recurrence of domestic femicides" and accused the government of being passive about the issue.