President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe has condemned the rise in kidnappings in Southern Cameroons, calling for discipline and unity in the Federal Republic of Ambazonia. The head of the Southern Cameroons Interim Government, in letters sent to local and international media houses demanded Southern Cameroonians to remain united and focus on the struggle to free their homeland and hinted that the hunger strike will continue until all Southern Cameroons detainees are identified.

Sisiku Ayuk Tabe expressed hope that members of the pro French Cameroun armed groups operating deep inside Ambazonia would rescind the dubious and dangerous task assigned them by French Cameroun Minister Paul Atanga Nji and join the revolutionary forces.

The Ambazonian Interim Government sees kidnappings as inconsistent with Southern Cameroon’s official, historic and principled Anglo-Saxon tradition.

The leader stressed that kidnappings would not serve the fraternal relations between the Ambazonia Restoration Forces and the local population and would only further complicate the lives of Southern Cameroonians.

By Sama Ernest in Yaounde

One Cameroonian soldier was killed Sunday afternoon in an unusual ambush by armed separatists in Cameroon’s southwest Littoral Region, according to the army.

The army said the soldier was shot on a motorcycle that another man was driving. The driver, a field worker, was also shot.

“Both of them died on the spot. The army is currently undertaking a thorough search of people and houses in the locality. All the entrances to the town have been blocked,” a military officer who asked to be anonymous told Xinhua.

The incident happened in the town of Penda Mboko in the French-speaking part of Cameroon, close to the border with a restive English-speaking region in the Southwest.

Armed separatists have been clashing with government forces in the Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest since 2017 to fight for the two regions’ independence.

Source: Xinhuanet

Southern Cameroons Communications Secretary, Milton Taka has said that the endemic acts of French Cameroun terrorism by Francophone army soldiers against the people of Ambazonia are all linked to the very foundation of the French Cameroun state.

Comrade Milton Taka told a Southern Cameroons international media task team over the weekend that French Cameroun has perennially harbored a culture to dominate, to conquer, and control everything that is Southern Cameroons.

Milton Taka’s comments came after it was revealed that the Biya Francophone regime has hired the services of some media houses in Europe and America to paint a negative picture of the Southern Cameroons struggle for independence.

Ever since the 86 year old French Cameroun president Paul Biya declared war on the people of Southern Cameroons, Ambazonian communities have recorded the most casualties. So far this year, the French Cameroun military have continued with their extermination campaign killing Southern Cameroons women and children in their numbers.

Videos of lynching and public murders of young men in both the Northern and Southern Zones of Ambazonia as a norm like a sports activity have gone viral on social media. Southern Cameroons is experiencing mass killings on a regular basis but the Biya regime sources yielding figures about the war are very biased and misleading.

By Chi Prudence Asong with files from Soter Agbaw-Ebai

Southern Cameroons Vice President Dabney Yerima has cautioned armed grounds in Ground Zero that kidnappings have no place in the Federal Republic of Ambazonia. The VP was reacting following the kidnapping of a 16 year old girl (seen here) around Brasseries deport in Bamenda.

Speaking to Cameroon Concord News late on Sunday from Thuringen in Germany, Vice President Yerima said, kidnappings have no place in our Ambazonia, and promised that the Interim Government was going to establish channels to take care of those committing crimes and asking for ransom.

He also revealed that the Ambazonia Interim Government has been doing a lot in addressing the issue of kidnappings, but conceded that many involved in the crime are young men working for French Cameroun Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji who have the support and cover from the French Cameroun Rapid Intervention Battalion(BIR).

Recently in Southern Cameroons, many Ambazonian families complained of their loved ones being kidnapped and blamed it on the Ambazonia Restoration Forces. Several Southern Cameroons families have been forced to pay huge amounts of money to enable their family members gain their freedom.

A senior Southern Cameroons political commentator hinted that corruption in the Interim Government under the disgraced Dr Samuel Ikome and Chris Anu created a situation whereby armed groups eventually took control of some local governments and are changing policy to better suit their needs.

By Asu Isong in London

At least four bodies of villagers slashed to death by terror group Boko Haram were recovered early Friday in Guederou, a village in Cameroon’s Far North region, Cameroon’s army said on Friday.

The villagers were going about their daily activities when the militants struck, killing them and injuring some others on Thursday night, according to the army.

“Following the rapid intervention from the Cameroon army, two Boko Haram terrorists were neutralized and several others injured,” the army said in a statement.

On Tuesday, the group also attacked Kalagari, another locality in Far North region and chopped off the ears of “several” women, according to local authorities.

Boko Haram has killed about 2,000 people in Cameroon since 2014, according to local media quoting international NGOs.

Source: Xinhuanet

Former Prime Minister Sadou Hayatou and National Director of the Bank of Central African States BEAC well known for the role he played in the so called Yaounde Tripartite Talks has died in Switzerland, aged 77.

Sadou Hayatou served as Prime Minister and Head of Government under the Biya CPDM crime syndicate from April 26, 1991 to April 9, 1992.

Born on February 15, 1942 in Garoua, Sadou Hayatou was appointed into the government of Cameroon as Minister of Agriculture in 1984. In 1990, he was again appointed Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon-a position he occupied until he was made Prime Minister in 1991.

After his time as Prime Minister, Hayatou headed the Bank of Central African States, BEAC. Cameroonians were told that the late Hayatou left BEAC on the 1^st of January 2008.

Despite the official retirement age at the Bank being 60, Sadou Hayatou was kept in BEAC for five additional years by the BEAC Governor.

By Rita Akana with files from Journal du Cameroon

Islamist extremists have cut off the ears of women seized during a night-time raid on a rural town in Cameroon.

On Monday night, 29th July, members of terrorist group Boko Haram attacked Gagalari, in Yagoua Diocese, in the Far North region of the country.

According to information from local sources received today by Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, the terrorists targeted the town’s women.

One source said: “They arrived during the night, entered the houses one by one and kidnapped the women. Only the women. They took them to the outskirts and amputated one ear of each of the victims. Then they released them threatening them and telling them that they would return, that this is the first [such] intervention, but others will follow. It is terrifying.”

At least three women were seized during the raid.

Following their ordeal, they were taken by the army to a medical centre 160 miles (260 km) away where they received aid.

The source suggested that the women’s ears were cut off in order to terrorise the locals.

According to local news reports, Boko Haram fighters drove away members of the Vigilance Committee who tried to stop them.

The source said “It was no use in this repulsive surprise attack. The women were dragged out of their homes before the eyes of their children.”

The source added that locals were terrified – but had little choice except to remain: “But what are they going to do? They are simple and very poor people who live from agriculture and right now in the rainy season they are waiting for the harvest. Where are they going to go?”

According to reports, in the preceding days Boko Haram attacked two villages in the area. Three members of a local Vigilance Committee were killed during the raids.

Source: ACN

HIGHLIGHTS

• Insecurity has forced more than 530,000 people to flee their homes since the conflict erupted in late 2016. Continuous armed clashes, civilian casualties and the burning of houses, hospitals and other infrastructures continue to cause further displacements.
• The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate as incidents of violent conflict, abductions and widespread violations of international humanitarian law are becoming increasingly prevalent.
• WFP, INGOs and local NGOs distributed food items to 112,962 beneficiaries comprising of IDPs and members of host communities in both regions. In the North West (NW) 32,571 persons were assisted while 80,391 were assisted from the South West (SW).
• As of the end of June, WHO supported community-based surveillance activities in the SW have ended due to lack of funding. There are no surveillance activities taking place in the NW. The risk of an outbreak of preventable diseases in the NWSW is high.
• 841 protection incidents were identified and recorded in June only, an increase of 31.2%, compared to the previous month.
• 1,630 children had access to psychosocial support in Child FriendlySpaces.
• 92 new gender-based violence (GBV) cases were reported by GBV Sub-Cluster partners.
• 30,420 individuals were supported directly with WASH activities.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Humanitarian

The humanitarian situation in the NWSW regions of the country continues to deteriorate. At least 1.3 million people are in need of assistance and over 530,000 people are internally displaced. Access to people in need is becoming increasingly difficult for the humanitarian community due to rising insecurity. Access constraints hamper humanitarian assessments and prevent assistance reaching those most vulnerable. The conflict is characterized by violations of international humanitarian law with civilians, particularly women and children most vulnerable. Funding for the humanitarian response from the international community falls very short of meeting the increasing needs.

Political

The situation in the NWSW continues to be very tense. International and national actors have continued to mount pressure on both parties for a ceasefire and to initiate a negotiated peace process.

This month, the NWSW Women’s Task Force announced a Black Wednesday Campaign against continuous violence in the two regions. Women dress in black on the first and last Wednesdays of each month, committed to do so until the ongoing crisis is resolved. The National Executive Committee of the Social Democratic Front (SDF – leading opposition party in NWSW)) made a statement on 10 June noting that violence has escalated in the two regions after the visit of the Prime Minister. On 18 June, the conveners of the Anglophone General Conference (AGC) met in Douala. They clarified that the AGC is not a mediating body, but a platform aimed at providing a conducive and impartial forum for people in the grassroots to gather proposals for solutions and submit to the Head of State, who is the guarantor of the sovereignty of the state. The conveners gave no date for the event.

International advocacy has sparked hopes of humanitarian visibility and possible dialogue. On 5 June the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) named the NWSW crisis in Cameroon as the world’s most neglected displacement crisis. In addition, a group of US Senators introduced a bill aimed at suspending US military assistance to Cameroon until Cameroonian military and security forces improve respect for international human rights standards. On 27 June the Swiss Government announced that the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in partnership with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue has offered his good-office to act as a facilitator in the crisis in the NWSW. A meeting with several independentist groups took place in Switzerland ahead of 27 June 2019 to prepare for dialogue between the groups and the Cameroonian Government. While some independists reject the initiative, others have made public their consent to engage in the talks. The UN and EU have expressed their support for this initiative.

On 6 June, the Minister-delegate in charge of defence visited Bamenda (NW). He met with regional authorities and military commanders. This month, the Government created a Humanitarian Coordination Centre, with two offices in Bamenda (NW) and Buea (SW). Placed under the department of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Territorial Administration, the Centre’s mission is to implement Government humanitarian assistance and coordinate humanitarian activities in the NWSW. On 14 June, the Governor of the NW region lifted the curfew placed in the region since November 2018. The curfew which had lasted eight months restricted movement of persons and property in the NW region from 9pm to 6am. It was a temporal measure by the Governor to curb the heightened insecurity. The Governor also partially lifted the ban on the use motorbikes in some subdivisions of the NW. On 17 June, the President of Cameroon extended the mandates of Members of Parliament (MPs) and Municipal Councillors (including Mayors) to 29 February 2020, postponing local and legislative elections. Legal proceedings continued against people linked to the crisis. On 13 June, a court in the UK sentenced to two years imprisonment a man accused of posting messages that called for violence in Cameroon and bombing of Cameroon’s High Commission. On 19 June, the court case against Ayuk Tabe and Co held in Yaoundé took place and was adjourned to 9 July. The day was met with a ghost town. Ghost towns continued every Monday in both regions.

Security

Violence remained high in June with communal confrontations, targeted killings and harassments. Abductions also continued. There were confrontations between communities, and between parties to the conflict. From 8 to 10 June fighting between the military and opposition armed groups in Esu – Wum (NW) led to several civilian deaths and dozens of houses burnt. One soldier was reported dead and a health center destroyed. Non-State armed groups (NSAGs) have accused a particular community of siding with the military in this incident. The Governor of the NW released a press statement on 4 June condemning the events.

Kidnapping rates increased again in June. On 7 June, gunmen kidnapped the owner of a travel agency in Bamenda (NW) before releasing him hours later. In mid-June gunmen abducted three students of a Teachers Training College in Bambili (NW) and the proprietor of a high school in Limbe (SW). Following the construction of some bridges in Wum (NW), gunmen kidnapped dozens of people who embarked on the road on 18 June. They were freed days after. On 23 June, gunmen abducted the Mayor of Ndu (NW) before releasing him the next day. On 25 June, an armed group reportedly abducted the Archbishop of Bamenda in Belo (NW) before releasing him the next day. On 28 June, armed men abducted the chairperson of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), the leading party in the predominantly Anglophone regions, in Bamenda (NW). He was released on 29 June. The chairperson, Ni John Fru Ndi, is very vocal about the crisis. This is not the first time he is a victim of abduction.

Harassment and torture were also recurrent this month. A video circulated on social media, showing the military harassing a group of men (reportedly from Kurt – Nwa, NW). These men were reportedly found dead after the incident. On 13 June, armed men cut off the leg of a teacher in Mungo village (SW). The teacher survived but was in critical condition. This tragic event illustrates the growing attacks against education activities and personnel. On 21 June, the military reportedly took away a patient that an NGO had evacuated into a Baptist hospital in Mutengene (SW). The patient was reportedly later found dead in Tiko (SW).

Parties to the conflict continued targeting and killing both their opponents and civilians. Fighting between NSAGs and security forces on 5 June reportedly led to the death of three people in Ndekwai (SW) and three in Babungo (NW). On June 12 and 13, fighting between NSAGs and the military led to the death of one member of a NSAG and a civilian in Santa (NW). On 12 June clashes between the military and NSAG in Jakiri (NW) led to several deaths. A local market and houses were burnt during the confrontation. Several villagers fled to the bushes for safety. On 14 June six people were found dead in Babanki village (NW) with no clear indication of who killed them. On 15 June, four Government forces were allegedly killed, and others wounded after their vehicle was blown by an explosive in Otu (SW). In a statement released the same day, the Minister of Communication accused opposition armed groups of conducting the attack with Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). Although this is the first time the Government is admitting to such a loss in the region resulting from IEDs, it is not the first-time separatist fighters have announced that they are using IEDs. Continuous use of IEDs will worsen conflict dynamics. On 27 June, the military reportedly shot at least four people in Sabga (NW). On 17 June NSAGs declared that humanitarian assistance sent from Yaoundé by the Government was allegedly poisoned and that such governmental convoys should be attacked. On 23 June, allegedly NSAGs burnt down trucks carrying WFP supplies in Pinyin (NW).
However, the humanitarian convoy was not marked with UN or partner logo.

Culled from reliefweb.int