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;

  1. Condemns the gruesome murders of four (04) unarmed civilians and injury of 01 other in the Babessi sub division, Northwest Region and Buea sub division,Southwest region by members of the Cameroon Defense forces and armed Separatists respectively, while calling for an immediate and independent investigation to ensure perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.
  2. Calls for an end to impunity in conflict Anglophone regions, where perpetrators of serious human rights violations and abuses move freely, and even the few cases of investigations often opened by authority seem to be in attempt to shield perpetrators of their crimes.
  3. Reminds the Government of Command Responsibility for Senior Officials of the Cameroonian authority who fail to prosecute serious crimes Committed by their subordinates, that they shall be held accountable under International Law based on the Principles of Command Responsibility enshrined in Article 28 of the 1998 Rome Statute creating the International Criminal Court.
  4. Solicits international community involvement to persuade the Yaounde regime to engage in inclusive and sincere dialogue with different stakeholders to address the root causes of the armed conflict.
    Douala, this Tuesday, March 18, 2025
    Signed

Amadu TARNTEH
Executive Director

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