Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mimi Mefo Info
Published on 2024-04-17 15:12:00
Multiple acts of banditry and crime allegedly committed by Cameroonian nationals in Ouesso, a border town between Cameroon and Congo, are at the root of the issue.
The feared violence between Cameroonians and Congolese in Ouesso, a border town between the two countries, has finally materialized. Several Cameroonian nationals are accused of engaging in illicit activities in this neighboring country. “I am in Congo Brazzaville, and I can assure you that among all the foreigners residing on Congolese soil, we fear the Cameroonians the most, as they are involved in very strange practices, such as embezzlement of funds from our banks, falsification of documents, car theft, and armed robbery,” testifies one victim.
He adds, “I don’t know if you are aware of the situation in Ouesso in the northern zone of Congo Brazzaville, where a Cameroonian allegedly kidnapped a girl and demanded 500,000 francs for her freedom. Due to the pressure from the local population towards innocent Cameroonians, the authorities have even imposed a curfew to better control the situation.”
This morning, a manhunt was launched against Cameroonian nationals. Several fled and managed to find refuge in the Cameroonian consulate. Despite this, they were followed to their hideout by an angry crowd of Congolese. “We fled to the consulate, and here they are chasing us,” a Cameroonian can be heard saying in a video.
Authorities from either country have not yet issued any statements on the situation. So far, no evidence has been presented to confirm the accusations leveled against the Cameroonian community. Even if the accusations were true, it should be noted that many innocent Cameroonians are suffering in this situation.
This incident is reminiscent of similar situations that have occurred in other neighboring countries of Cameroon. A few years ago, Cameroonians living in Equatorial Guinea were subjected to a real manhunt after the robbery of two banks in Bata, the economic capital of Equatorial Guinea; robberies attributed, without evidence, to Cameroonian nationals. Many Cameroonians then returned to their country, while thousands of others found refuge in their country’s diplomatic representations in Bata and Malabo.
This was not the first incident between Cameroonians and Equatorial Guineans, with the latter considering the former as invaders seeking to capitalize on the exploitation of oil in Equatorial Guinea. The expulsion of some 600 Cameroonians from Equatorial Guinea in 2004 led to the recall, for consultations, of the Cameroonian ambassador to Malabo. For now, the leaders of both countries have not made any statements regarding this situation.
Albert Atangana
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
