17, December 2017

Mamfe: The Situation Report December 12 -December 17 0

Mamfe the chief town in Manyu division has witnessed sporadic fighting between unknown gunmen believe to be members of the Ambazonian Defense Force and the Cameroonian army.  Over the past week, several events have unfolded that has caused panic and generated a massive exodus from the area.

Tuesday 12th of December 4.3am:   Fire ravaged the Mamfe Main Market and 16 stores were completely damage.  The cause of the fire has not been established though the trader’s union is blaming the use of poor quality cables during the electrification process of the market. More than 20 businessmen and women have been rendered bankrupt loosing an estimated sum of approximately 50millions owing to the fact that most of them had stock their shops for the festive period. Cameroon Concord News understands the destruction should have been minimized if drivers were allowed to circulate early in the mornings by the military.

Thursday the 14th of December 8.30: Unidentified gunmen attacked Cameroon soldiers on patrol. There was heavy exchange of artillery fire that claimed the lives of 7 civilians including 2 Malians and a Nigerian. The foreigners were killed at Tanjong Street far from the place of confrontation. The foreign nationals had gone to eat in a restaurant in Tanjong Street where they were reportedly shot by troops parading in pickup truck. The soldiers refused to identify the others and the 7 victims were buried in a mass grave behind the old council building.

Sunday the 17 of December 11 am: A majority of the Mamfe inhabitants have now yielded to the Senior Division Officer’s press release that urged them to   relocate to safer zones.  The people of Egbekaw have all moved out of their homeland. Manyus have moved to different towns and cities in Southern Cameroons. Bike riders have all left and the streets of Mamfe are empty. Consequently, schools have all been force to shut down.

The army launched a 3-day-attack on the Mamfe business community dealing in petrol commonly referred to as funge. A petrol dealer hinted Cameroon Concord News that fuel worth 30 million FCFA was destroyed.

By Judith Fon in Mamfe