BIHAPH’S LIGHT ON HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES-ANGLOPHONE CRISIS IN CAMEROON: #BIHAPH#
A LIGHT OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES BY STATE ARMED GROUPs, NON-STATE ARMED GROUPS AND THE COMMUNITY.
September 2022 EDITION
V O L U M E 14, I S S U E 14
Cameroon continues facing the complex crisis in its two English Speaking regions. To critically analyze the Human Rights Abuse situation in the month of September, 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 herself to bring to light the most recent cases of Human rights Violations/Abuses covering the month of September 2022. This report involves atrocities committed by Defense and Security Forces (DSF), Non-State Armed Groups (NSAG) and the general community including individuals who are taking advantage of the situation.
- RECORDED INCIDENCE BY ELEMENTS OF THE DEFENSE AND SECURITY FORCES
Soldiers kill three civilians including a baby in kuvlu &Takov, Bamenda North West region
At least 3 civilians including a baby in a quarter called Kah and 3 military terrorists in Lou have been killed in Bui division, Bamenda North West Region of Cameroon. This was after an attack by the State Armed groups on the Non State Armed groups (Unity Warriors). The SAGs after the attack unleashed their anger on civilians in the area. A man, a mother, and her less than 1 year old child all from one family were innocently killed. This happened on the 2nd of September 2022 in Kah.
Bike rider hit by stray bullet following military-amba gunfire exchange
A bike rider in Bamessing, Ndop in the Ngoketunja division of the North West Region is battling between life and death. The young man yet to be identified was reportedly hit by a stray bullet following a gun battle between the army and armed separatist fighters on September 2nd 2022.
Two People Killed in Awing by Members of the Gendarmerie Brigade
The Awing brigade commander and his team attacked, seized weapons and killed over two individuals in Awing on September 8th 2022. Amongst those killed in the attack, is a NSAG freedom fighter commonly known as “SATAN”.
State security forces arrest and beat up civilians at Benakuma, Menchum valley in the North West Region.
In the early hours of the night of 11th September 2022, the state security forces had information that the non-state armed groups were are Buteh where a wake was held for a dead member of the community. At 2:00am, the state armed forces raided the compound, arrested seven men, beat up women and men and took them to Wum. In the wake of this, inhabitants of Bosung and Buteh resulted to sleeping in the forest for safety.
Two women shot dead by state security forces in Andek Ngie in Momo Division North West Region.
Two women were killed in Andek, Ngie on 14th September 2022 by three elements of the defense and order in the locality for BTAP. The said members of the SAGs violated the rules of engagement and opened fire on civilians living 2 women dead.
These two women were identified as Mrs. Abazie Suzanne aged 49 years and Mrs. Etoh Basheba Akutah aged 47, the respective families identified and took their corpses for burial. It is important to note that the government forces regret this happening and have put the perpetrators behind bars.
BBH staff arrested by the forces of security defense and order in Kumbo North West Region
Three staff of Banso Baptist Hospital are under military custody, accused of treating wounded fighters considered by the military as enemies of the state on the 25th September 2022. One of them is a breast-feeding mother whose name is captured as Carine and has a three-months old baby who was taken to her after the arrest so she could keep nursing the baby behind bars.
- ABUSES BY NON-STATE ARMED GROUPS
A man shot dead at Awing during the burial of his mother
On September 2, 2022, Mr Christopher was shot by unknown gunmen, sources say he is a native of Awing village in the North West Region. He was shot in the early hours of the day when he went to the village to pay his last respect to his mother. Sources say he was killed by non-state armed group fighters for reasons yet to be known to the population.
Rampant kidnapping in Bafameg, Fungom sub-division in the North West Region
In the early hours of the night on Monday September 5th 2022, the population was taken unawares and by heavy shooting from unknown gun men. Amidst the shooting, 5 persons were kidnapped and 3 were later released while 2 others were taken to an unknown destination. This ignited fear in the hearts of the population who ran to the bushes for safety.
Separatist fighters shoot indiscriminately at a public transport bus in Ekona Fako division South West Regions
On Tuesday September 06th, people went to their normal activities. Everywhere seemed calm when a Car travelling from Kumba to Buea was intercepted at Ekona and was indiscriminately shot at, leaving everybody in the vehicle dead. This act was done by the separatist fighters who proclaimed the lockdown to stop the resumption of school.
Female teacher shot in Ekona South West Region by separatist fighters
A teacher by name Che Rhoda was shot on her way to school in a shoot-out by NSAGs in an attempt to halt school resumption on September 6th 2022 at Ekona in the South West. The said lady is between life and dead at the hospital.
Separatist fighters kidnap 9 in Fongom Subdivision in North West region
On Tuesday September 6th 2022, 9 men of the Bafmeng local electricity management body were kidnapped in an attempt to raise a fallen electric pole to ensure the village has electricity. The men were taken by surprise while they were working at the “Abuh Kom” camp. The said individuals were released 1 week later and were taken to the hospital for intensive care.
Separatist fighters halt school resumption in Fako division in the South West Region
Schools were interrupted for students and pupils on September 7th after a gun battle started around Mutengene, Mile 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and Bomaka in the Fako division of the South West region. This made it impossible for students and pupils to go to school while those who were already in school had their parents device means to get them out of school.
At mile 16 there were reports of a student who was intercepted by NSAGs, they undressed him, destroyed his uniform and was made to go home naked.
NSAGs abduct school children in mile 16 South West Region of Cameroon
6 primary school pupils were abducted on their way to school in the morning hours of Wednesday 7th September 2022 at mile 16 Bolifamba South west region of Cameroon.
Two people shot at Foncha Street in Mezam division North West region
Two people were shot in the afternoon of Wednesday 7th September 2022 around Foncha Street-Nkwen, Bamenda. They included a man and a woman who were in a car when the unfortunate incident happened. One was reportedly shot in the arm while the other was shot in the mouth after bullets penetrated their car. The shooters were well armed and nobody till now knows who they are and why they were shooting.
Rain bullets in Ngyem-mbo Mbengwi by NSAGs North West Region
The Ngyem-mbo set 2 Cars ablaze: one at the stretch of the road commonly called evil forest and at a popular junction called Samtaben in Mbengwi on Friday 9th September 2022. The said NSAG group sent children of a community school back home. Reports have it that the said group are from Bali who hold that Bali can not be observing ghost town while Mbengwi is not. Also, school activities were put on hold till after October 1st, 2022.
In kumbo, North West Region Separatist warned the Banso Baptist hospital
At least six non-state armed group fighters were killed during a confrontation with state forces of security and defense on September 11th 2022 in kumbo. Self-proclaimed general “Fireman” and his guard were pulled out of the Baptist hospital and killed. The separatists threatened the hospital’s administration alleging that there is an informant feeding the government forces with information about their movements and admissions.
Military control post set ablaze in Jakiri North West Region
The police check point at the veterinary junction was burnt down by NSAGs on September 14th 2022, in an ambush attack. This is the second time the said check point is coming under attack. The first attack left 2 members of SAGs dead.
7 Rev Fathers and Co. kidnapped in the South West Region.
Separatist fighters in the evening of September 16th, 2022 set ablaze Catholic Church Nchang in Manyu and kidnapped priests, other church workers and members while the service was unfolding. The 7 people kidnapped were identified as Fr. Elias Okorie, Fr. Barnabas Ashu, Fr. Cornelius Jingwa, Fr. Job Francis Nwobegu, Fr. Emmanuel Asaba, Sr. Jancinta C. Udeagha, Mr. Nkem Patrick Osang (Assisting Catechist), Ms. Blanche Bright (Little girls from Ebam Village), Mme. Kelechukwu (Cook). It is important to note that Fr Cornelius is a patient and as at the time of this report he had not been released.
IED planted in Bafut North West Region by separatist fighters
Separatist fighters in Bafut on Saturday September 24th, 2022 used an IED to target a military convoy around Njibujang quarter. The front and side views of the armored car were completely damaged. Angered by this, government forces said the population knew about this but did not inform them and descended on the population.
Nso field Pastor kidnapped by NSAGs in Bui division of North West Region.
Four more staff of Banso Baptist Hospital (BBH) have been kidnapped by members of NSAGs. The Pastor and other staff of the hospital are accused of collaborating with the military according to a source that spoke with CNA and asked not to be named for security reasons. The medical staff and Pastor were captured by the fighters after each being summoned by the ‘Amba’ fighters. The captured are Rev. Shey John (Nso field pastor), Ma. Mbiydzenyuy Margaret (Nurse), Njoai Lawrence (surgical Technician), Fai Peter (Security guard), Godlove Selamo (Biker for Health) on the same day 25th September 2022.
Separatist fighters set ablaze the house of president of Ndong Awing in North west Region
On September 26th, 2022, the house of the president of Ndong Awing cultural and development association was set ablaze in North West Region. The house was burnt because the president said "the battle line was drawn" after an elite was murdered in cold blood during the burial of his mother.
Separatist fighters picked up a Reverend Father for questioning in Bui Division North West Region.
Fr. Sergius of Vekovi-Dzekwa Local government area of Bui division on the 26th of September 2022 was picked up by the Bui unity warriors for questioning: he has been suspected and accused of having information connected with the military arrest of the Bui unity warrior general from the hospital.
Separatist fighters attack Gendarmerie post in Awing North West Region of Cameroon.
The attack on the gendarmerie post in Awing left 3 soldiers dead and 3 others seriously wounded and several weapons seized by the NSAGs on Monday September 26th 2022.
Unidentified Gun men kill 1 and wound several in Chop, Nkambe North West Region
A business man by name Njamshi Eric was killed in an attack by unidentified Gun men in a neighborhood in Chop village, Nkambe in the North West region of Cameroon at 7pm on September 27th 2022. Several other persons equally sustained severe injuries from the attack.
- ABUSES BY THE COMMUNITY
Abandoned child found in a bush in Mbengwi, North West Region
A baby was found abandoned in a bush around the house of a certain Mr Tembi in Mbengwi on 3rd of September 2022. The baby was immediately rushed to the Mbengwi general hospital that same day.
A mentally deranged woman killed her husband in Kumbo North West Region
A mentally deranged woman is reported to have killed her husband with no reason given. Hearing this, NSAGs (Bui Unity Warriors) in turn beat the woman to death as well. The couple were buried on the same day (28th September).
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 in documenting this inhumane act calls on all parties to uphold all the principles that dignifies human life. Furthermore, children are still not allowed to go to school freely as schools are held for reopening in these regions, this act is violating right to education which is a fundamental human right therefore, BIHAPH sends this paper to serve as an eye opener 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:
Verified online sources
Community focal persons
CBPC member Bafmeng