Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-01-31 11:58:54
At least one person was reportedly dead after an attack blamed on separatists in western Cameroon rocked the city of Buea. On Monday night (Jan. 30), heavy gunshots were heard in Buea, the capital of the South-West region.
Videos circulated on social media showing armed men carrying out the attack and reportedly justifying it by the fact that the population didn’t obey their “ghost town” order.
According to private Cameroonian media Canal 2, the fighters attacked armed forces on patrol near a market in Buea before targeting civilians and burning cars.
At least one person has been confirmed dead and several others are reported to have been injured in the attack. Speaking to RFI’s journalist, Bernard Okalia, the governor of the South-West region said calm returned to Buea on Tuesday (Jan.30).
In January 2023, Human Rights Watch estimated that at least 6,000 civilians had been killed by both government forces and armed separatist fighters since late 2016 in the North-West and South-West regions.
Residents of Cameroon’s South-West and North-West regions have been suffering at the hands of separatists fighters for 7 years.
The armed groups carry out attacks, kidnappings, and killings forcing thousands to flee for their lives and displace to other regions.
Insurgents began fighting the Cameroonian military and then began attacking the population after civilian protests calling for greater representation for the Francophone country’s English-speaking minority were violently repressed.
In a report by Amnesty International unveiled last July, the rights group said security forces, separatist rebels, and ethnic militiamen had committed “atrocities” in Cameroon’s North-West region.
The situation in the North-West and South-West regions remains dire as the conflict continues to escalate. Humanitarian organizations are struggling to reach those in need due to the ongoing violence.
The international community has called for an end to the violence and for dialogue to resolve the conflict peacefully. However, the situation remains complex and challenging.
The ongoing conflict has not only resulted in loss of life but has also led to widespread displacement, economic instability, and a breakdown of social and community structures.
The people of the North-West and South-West regions are in urgent need of assistance and support to rebuild their lives and communities.
As the conflict in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon continues to escalate, it is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize the protection of civilians and respect for human rights.
The international community must also remain engaged and committed to finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict in Cameroon.
Only through dialogue and cooperation can the root causes of the conflict be addressed, and a sustainable peace achieved.
Read Original article on Africa News
