25, September 2019
Southern Cameroons War: Death toll from violence in Bafut Palace hits 14 0
The death toll from the French Cameroun government army attack on the Bafut palace in Bamenda has reached 14, officials of the Ambazonia Interim Government say, as hundreds of local Bafut residents fled into Nkwen and other areas of Bamenda for safety after French Cameroun government army soldiers invaded the seat of the Bafut traditional administration under the direct supervision of Minister Paul Atanga Nji.
In an audio message to the people of Southern Cameroons earlier today, Vice President Dabney Yerima announced the upgraded toll and the atrocities of the invading French Cameroun military, adding that many of the victims were Bafut royals shot at close range by troops loyal to the regime in Yaoundé.
A local commander of the Ambazonia Restoration Forces told Cameroon Intelligence Report that some victims were burned, some were hacked to death… some were trapped in fires set by the Francophone soldiers.
Vice President Dabney Yerima also revealed that many of the Bafut royals have been confirmed injured and scores had been detained for questioning over the whereabouts of the Fon of Bafut. At the time of filing this report, information filtered that three palace guards had died from bullet wounds, our source said, without elaborating.
By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with files from Sama Ernest
26, September 2019
Southern Cameroons War: Journalists flee to South Africa, Nigeria after Biya regime crackdowns 0
Some Cameroonian journalists have sought refuge in Nigeria and South Africa after fleeing a crackdown on media and activists in the Central African country.
Others have fled to the United States of America.
The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX), which disclosed the trend, said this was the aftermath of the unrest gripping the central African country over the past two years as English-speaking regions seek autonomy from Cameroon.
They claim the government dominated by French-speakers is marginalising them. State actors and groups clamouring for self rule have been identified as the major perpetrators of freedom of expression violations from the beginning of 2017 to date.
Security officials, according to AFEX, have arrested, physically assaulted journalists and destroyed their equipment.
“The crackdown has forced a number of journalists to flee the country to neighbouring Nigeria. Some have even gone on exile to the United States and South Africa,” the media rights group stated.
Others have left the volatile regions to find safety in major towns such as Douala and the capital city, Yaounde.
AFEX and the Association for Integrated Development and Interactive Solidarity jointly called on the government of President Paul Biya to take urgent steps to end to the ongoing crisis in the English-speaking regions and ensure that the rights of journalists and activists were respected.
Source: CAJ News