Cameroon continues facing the complex crises in its two English Speaking regions in the month of October, critically analyzing the Human Rights Abuse situation, records of disturbing increase and barbaric methods of killings have been witnessed. Therefore, the intensifications of this violence directly affects the civilian population. Bihndumlem Humanitarian Association of Peace and Hope (BIHAPH) in Cameroon has taken upon these initiative to bring to light the most recent cases of Human Right Violation/ Abuses covering the month of October 2022. This report involves atrocities committed by Defense and State Security Forces (SSF), Non-State Armed Groups (NSAG) and general community including individuals who are taking advantage of the deteriorating situation.
- RECORDED INCIDENCE BY ELEMENTS OF GOVERNMENT DEFENCE AND SECURITY FORCES.
State Security forces (SSF) kill one in Guzang North West Region
In the early hours of October 19th, 2022 in Guzang Batibo subdivision of North west region, the military met a mother in her house in New Town Guzang and shot her for no reason. She is Mama Munji Cecilia was taken to the mortuary in Bamenda to be buried consequently.
Shock in Mbonge meme Division of South West region as a man and two sons killed in a military raid
A man and his 2 sons have been killed by alleged government forces in Mbonge, meme division of the south west region. The incident occurred Monday, October 10, 2022. According to Mimi Mefo Infos(MMI), the bodies of the three were discovered in a pool of blood shortly after the raid was carried out in the neighborhood. The identity of the three deceased is yet to be known.
Elements of Defense and security forces burn twelve houses, five bikes and kill one in Boyo North West Region
One civilian by name Helbert Nshom was killed in an attempt to escape. The man was fleeing with his child before he was killed and since then the child has not been found, the source went on adding that: only the father’s deceased body was discovered. This incident took place on October 12th ,2022.
Soldiers torture Man before his wife and kids in Bui North West Region
Members of the Rapid Intervention Battalion, BIR an elite unite of Cameroonian army have been captured on camera torturing a man in front of his wife and children. The incident reported happened in Djotin a locality in Noni, sub division Bui division of the North West Region on October 12th 2022.
Woman executed in Guzang Batibo subdivision of the North West Region.
The woman had just taken her bath on the 21st of October 2022 and was in her room when the soldiers entered. Many who saw them took cover and after some time in her room, they heard gunshuts. When the SSF had left, her neighbors rushed there only to find her naked body in the pull of her own blood.
- ABUSES BY NON-STATE ARMED GROUPS
Abducted Reverend father freed in Bui division North West region
Reverend father Shiyntum Sergius who was abducted by separatist fighters from the parish house in Vekovi Village Bui Division was freed on October 1st 2022. It should be noted that farther Serguis was accused of having a hand in the death of a separatist fighter (self-proclaimed General Chop Fire). Who was removed from his sick bed in Bingo Baptist Health Center and executed by elements of Defense and Security. The colleagues of the NSAG fighter believed the SSF could only have gotten information after a tip off by a member of the staff. Hence they decided to abduct the Rev. Father managing the hospital. At the moment there is no information revealing the circumstances that led to his release.
A truck driver shot dead in his residence in Mankon Mezam division of the North West Region
A truck driver is said to have been shot dead at his residence in Mankon, North West Region of Cameroon. This happened on October 7th 2022. The reason for his murder is left unknown as well as the identity of the victim. However, his neighbors believe he was shot by members of NSAG
Wum municipality devastated by the burning of the residents of the Lord Mayor: Menchum Division North West Region
Inhabitants of Wum municipality woke up on Monday morning 18th October to the devastating news of the burring down of the residence of the Lord mayor of Wum council. From information gathered some 5-armed men stormed the resident of the municipal leader, surrendered occupants before setting the house ablaze. This happened on Sunday evening 17th October 2022.
Two elements of defense and security killed in Donga Mantung Division of the north west region by separatist fighters
The two elements of defense and security were killed in the early hours of Sunday October 17th, 2022 in Donga Mantung Division of the North West Region, they are Sergeant Nkoa Ebode, who was recently transferred to Ndu (just one week ago), and warrant officer Aroumtouang. The pair was on board a motorcycle heading to a control post 2km away from Ndu when they were ambushed and killed. Their attackers also took their rifles.
Captives of Nchang incident on social media up loaded by separatist fighters
A video circulating on social media showing the captives of Nchang incident who are victims pleading with the Catholic Church authorities to secure their release. The victims where Two Nigerian priest, three Cameroonian Priests, One cook, a Nun, A little girl and assistant catechist of the parish were kidnapped from the Saint Mary Catholic Church in Nchang, Mamfe on September 16, 2022.
Nkwen, Mezam North West Region in Panic After bloody attack by armed Men
The population of Nkwen in the Bamenda III municipality was in panic and shock following the death of a native whose name Cameroon News agency got as Ndowie popularly known as ‘Issa’. Reports say he was shot in the head at close range at about 10pm on Saturday 15th October 2022 at a place called ‘speed brake’.
Two workers shot dead on Mamfe-Eyoumojock South West Region by separatist fighters
Two workers were reported shot to dead on the Mamfe-Eyoumojock road in Manyu division of the south west region of Cameroon. The tragic incident which occurred in the morning hours of Thursday, October 27th, 2022 left one of the workers severely injured. According to reports, the deceased whose names we got as Oliver Ngum and Emmanuel Mukong, are said to be in their late 30s. three-gun men are reported to have appeared form a nearby forest and ordered them to stop work. They asked them to vacate the scene by running. As they ran for their lives the gunmen opened fire on them which led to the death of the ‘duo’.
Separatist fighters attempt on the life of the SDO of Mechum Division North west region.
The SDO for Menchum, Abdoullahi Aliou on the night of the 21st of October 2022 survived an assassination attempt while four gendarme officers escorting him back to his lake side residence in Waindo were wounded. This happened at about 6:30pm after he concluded evening prayers at the mosque.
Separatist fighters target a military Pickup in Wum central North West region.
Sources in Wum reported to CNN on the 13th of October 2022, separatist fighters targeted a military pick up with just a driver on board. Though they missed their target and the driver escaped with his vehicle, elements of the security forces descended in to Naikom and set ablaze 2 houses located around the scene of the incidents. Meanwhile at the village outskirts in Wum some 10 houses belonging to Fulani herdsmen were burnt down by suspected separatist fighter rendering more than 100 persons homeless and displaced.
A bar and provision shop burnt in Wum Menchum division of the North West Region
On Monday 24th October, a Bar and Provision shop were set ablaze by separatist fighters in Wum central subdivision in Menchum division of the north west region of Cameroon. Eye witnesses to the scene said Separatist fighters committed the acts and they had been carrying inhuman and atrocious assaults in the community lately.
- ABUSES BY THE COMMUNITY
Two men killed by the population of Nkwen Bamenda NorthWest Region
Two armed men were beaten to dead by population in Mile 4 Nkwen Bamenda on the night of the 15th October 2022 at about 9:45 pm. CNA learned the men had attempted to steal a taxi from a driver who raised an alarm. The armed men fired their riffles but the population stepped in and successfully neutralized them. Security forces who were called said they retrieved an M21 riffles and a magazine with 6 rounds of ammunition form the scene.
The above gross, barbaric inhuman human rights violation is not only as a result of the continuous escalation of the conflict but as day goes by violence in English speaking Cameroon is a call for concern as not only forces of defense and Separatist fighters but individuals afflict pain on the people hiding behind the crises.
BIHAPH documents these inhumane acts in order to call on all parties to uphold all the principles that dignifies human life. Furthermore, children are still not allowed to go to school freely in most part of these regions especially in poor rural communities. This act violates the right of children to education which is a fundamental human right therefore. BIHAPH sends this paper to serve as an early warning sign to both state, international bodies and the population on ground to know the stage in which these two regions exist. Human life precedes all state entitlement and should be respected by all.
REFERNCES
Cameroon News Agency
Mimi Mefo Infor
CBPC member Bafmeng
BIHAPH would like to thank all the courageous women and men who agreed to tell us about their experience and its impact on their lives and those of their loved ones.
- Gruesome photos of the above gross human rights violation are available to confirm the atrocious abuses.