AFRICAN CONSCIENCE : African Network Of Grassroots Democracy

 

 

ONCE AGAIN: CAMEROON’S FORGOTTEN CONFLICT CLAIMS THE LIVES OF 04 UNARMED CIVILIANS IN ANGLOPHONE REGIONS WITHIN 24 HOURSWE WISH TO BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AS FOLLOWS:That according to eyewitnesses and family sources, two attacks were perpetrated by Defense forces and armed separatists on March 17, 2025, in Baba 1, Ngoketunjia division, North West region, and Bomaka , in Buea sub division, South West region, respectively. These attacks resulted in the killing of 04(four) unarmed civilians, including a person with disability, and the injury of one other.That the first incident occurred in Baba 1 village, Ngoketunjia division, Northwest region where members of the Cameroon Defense Forces launched an attack on a building where separatists were holding kidnapped civilians. The attack claimed the lives of Petinjoh Mamah and Petinjoh Raymond(a lame man), while another civilian was injured. Additionally, one armed separatist was killed during the attack. However, the Defense forces also managed to free some captives which included some Fulani herders who were being held by the separatists. Further investigation revealed, the victims had recently visited the village to perform the one year traditional rites for their deceased mother, before being summoned and detained by armed separatists over a land dispute before the unfortunate attack by Defense forces claimed their lives.That in the second incident, eyewitnesses reported that two taxi drivers in Bomaka, Muea, Buea sub division, South West region, were brutally assassinated and their Taxis partially damaged by unknown armed men, allegedly armed separatists. Sources claim that the separatists accused the taxi drivers of disrespecting the Monday ghost town day.That the conflict in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon has now spanned nearly a decade, with grievous human rights violations and abuses and severe material damages being perpetrated by conflicting parties on a persistent and almost daily basis. Despite the escalating violence, the Cameroonian authorities has maintained silence regarding the recent incidents.That, however, a pro government activist « Dr KontriMan Jr » took to social media (Facebook)to claim that 03 Terrorists were killed by Defense forces and 06 captives set free in Ngoketunjia, Baba 1. This assertion contradicts eyewitness accounts and family sources, which identify 02 of the victims as unarmed civilians and 01 Separatist.That in view of the above, Conscience Africaine;

Amadu TARNTEHExecutive Director

HRH Fon Kenneth Asobo III, the paramount ruler of the Pinyin clan has reacted to the recent killing of six unarmed civilians in his Kingdom allegedly by members of Cameroon Defense forces on Sunday, February 23,2025. In a press release dated February 25,2025,His Royal Majesty has called on his people to remain steadfast in the face of this lost.In his words he added « in the light of these devastating event, the traditional corps of our land has been urgently convened in council to reflect on a way forward and to explore all avenues for restoring peace and justice to the Kingdom.It’s only through peace, dialogue and understanding that we will ever break free from this cycle of suffering « .

Reaction of Cameroon Civil Society on recent attacks and theft at the Office of Nouveaux DROITS de l’Homme-Cameroon in Yaounde by unknown individuals.Conscience Africaine signed the joint press release by it Executive Director Amadu TARNTEH, though he signed using Coalition of Civil Society human rights Organizations for Peace in Anglophone regions and other affected regions of the crisis, which our Executive Director Amadu TARNTEH equally doubles as Assistant Executive Secretary of the said Coalition.