Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mimi Mefo Info
Published on 2024-03-29 20:29:39
Several thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes in the Bayang district, Manyu department, in the South-West region between February 16th and 26th.
The security situation in the South-West region is concerning. In just 10 days, around 3000 people have fled atrocities in the Bayang district, Manyu department, in the South-West region. This information is contained in the latest report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). A report on the situation in the crisis-affected regions of the North-West and South-West. According to OCHA, the population fled after houses were set on fire by separatist armed groups who are in conflict with state security forces. “A part of the displaced population has hidden in the surrounding forests while others have found refuge in neighboring villages. The displaced population is not willing to return to their original village in the short term,” OCHA reports. The UN organization also notes that Widikum and Mamfe are the locations where most of the displaced people have found refuge.
However, in his speech on December 31st, Paul Biya had indicated that the security situation has improved in the two war-torn zones. “Thanks to the active collaboration of the population with our defense and security forces, the situation in the North-West, South-West, and Far North regions has significantly improved. This now allows for the peaceful implementation of reconstruction and development plans in these regions,” Paul Biya had stated. A statement that contrasts with the harsh reality on the ground that remains unlivable.
According to independent NGOs, there are about 30 armed groups in the Anglophone region and their links to separatist political groups vary. Since the beginning of the crisis, separatists have committed various human rights violations against civilians, such as kidnappings, looting, killings, and rapes.
Overall, according to UN data, “the sociopolitical crisis in the North-West and South-West regions has left 1.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2023. Protection, access to food, education, and clean water are among the most urgent needs in these regions.” This crisis, which started in October 2016 and escalated into an armed conflict in 2017, has already resulted in nearly 6,000 deaths, according to international organizations.
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
