Reviewing the Human Rights Abuse situation of English-speaking Cameroon, the month of July has recorded particular increase in Human Rights abuses. Therefore, the intensifications of this violence directly affect the civilian population. The Bihndumlem Humanitarian Association of Peace and Hope (BIHAPH) in Cameroon have documented the most recent cases of Human Right Violation/ Abuses covering the month of July 2022. This report involves atrocities committed by Defense and Security Forces (DSF), Non-State Armed Groups (NSAG) and general community including individuals such as Fulani herd men.
- RECORDED INCIDENCE BY ELEMENTS OF THE DEFENCE AND SECURITY FORCES
Tension in Bamenda, capital city of the North West Region as more than 500 motorbikes seized
An atmosphere of uncertainty looms Bamenda for about a week now, there has been the seizure of more than 500 motorbikes. The motorbikes were seized by security officers. This exercise took place on 9th to 10th July, no official statement has been made as to why the bikes are being seized and what the victims need to do in order to regain their bikes. Some of the bike riders recounted how they spent huge sums of money to retrieve their bikes.
Man arrested by military on his way from church found dead in Bafut
A man whose name sources got as Ngwa Richard who was arrested by military in Bafut, mezam Division of the North West Region was found dead. The man was reportedly arrested by the military on patrol on Thursday July 7, 2022 when he was returning from morning prayers. A source says he was not found after his arrest not even after a search for him was conducted in several security posts in Bafut. Another source says he saw a man pulled out of a military truck and shot death at the Bafut airport where the military is stationed. After several days of continues search, his body was finally found in one marshy area in Bafut. Source [i]MMI
Gendarmes in Jakiri confiscate more than 60 ID cards after separatists’ fighters’ provocation
On Saturday July 16, 2022, separatist fighters came to the central town in Jakiri beside the lone petrol station. They fired sporadic gunshots in the air before leaving. Barely 30minutes after the combatants had left and civilians were returning to their activities, gendarmes from Jakiri came and allegedly harassed some civilians. They collected over 60 ID cards and asked the victims to come collect them at their station paying a sum of 10.000 FRS each to collect their cards. Source [ii]Cameroon News Agency.
Government forces injured civilians in mile 12 Ikiliwindi Meme division South West Region
At least four civilians are said to have been killed allegedly by government forces on Tuesday, July 26th, 2022, they invaded mile 12 area in a locality situated some 10kilometters away from the central city of Kumba in the South West region.
Several persons reported arrested in kumba during military raids in South West Region.
Several persons have been reportedly arrested in kumba, on 23 July 2022 Meme division of the South West region. They were arrested following a military raid in the area. Local say security forces stormed the locality called the bakweri quarter and whisked off several persons from their homes. Some houses were broken into and their occupants taken away by mixed security team, the exact reasons for the raid remains unknown.
Government forces neutralized and improvised Explosive device in Bamenda North west Region
Government forces neutralized an improvised explosives device in Bamenda city on July 30, 2022. This incident happened at mobile Nkwen in Bamenda which caused fear and traffic around the area.
Two non-state armed fighters killed in Bambui Tubah sub division in the North West Region
Self-proclaimed commander Rasta and colonel John of Bambui were killed on Sunday 31st July 2022 by elements of Defense and security forces and their bodies displaced at the 4 corners Bambui. A local source said ‘these are the amba boys who have been disturbing education in Bambui’.
Dozens on the run after elements of defense and security kill three, set houses on fire in Mbengwi, Momo Division North west region.
Three persons were on Monday killed and several houses set ablaze in Gunuku village, in Mbengui Momo Division. Sources said those killed had their hands tied behind, many are now in the bushes for safety after soldiers carried out the killings, three were caught and executed an eye witness told MMI
- ABUSES BY NON-STATE ARMED GROUPS
Locals accuse separatists of abducting CBC field pastor and two others in Bum Boyo Division.
On July 2022, the field pastor of the Cameroon Baptist convention (CBC) Bum and two others were abducted. Rev Ngo Noah was abducted alongside, Dom Samuel, quarter head of Mbamlu and TAM APOLO, a teacher. This incident occurred Thursday, 7 July 2022 in Fonfuka, headquarters of Bum in subdivision in Boyo division of the North West Region. It was reported that amba boys stormed the village at 4am and took away the field pastor, a teacher and the quarter head of Mbalmu village a local source told MMI. It was alleged that this was the 3rd time they were kidnapping the said teacher. Their whereabouts remain unknown.
Separatist fighters under fire for worsening food crisis
Separatist fighters from South West region of Cameroon attacked a van transporting around 200 bags of Irish potatoes in the west region of Cameroon. Images of the burnt vehicle emerged on social media on Monday 4th July 2022, showing Irish potatoes scattered on the ground. Source Mimi Mefor Info
Armed men kill retired soldier in Bambili, North West region
The population of Bambili are yet to come in terms with the death of one of theirs, a retired uniform officer who had put in many years in the Cameroon military. This family head whose name we go as KAMCHU was killed on the night of Sunday braking Monday 25th July at his home in Bambili. Relatives believed he was gunned down by separatist fighters.
Mother of two captured, naked and tortured by non-sate armed groups in Nijnteh Bafut sub division of the North west Region.
Mother of two children NEH JUDITH LANGA from Njinteh Bafut was kidnapped by ADF fighters at Ntabuwe Bafut on her way to the farm and was accused of dating a military man, she was captured by general Alhaji and commander Shumanjah, on July 27, 2022. This woman looks malnourished, she was naked and tortured on videos gotten on social media.[iii]
BIR commander killed in Kumba South West Region, Cameroon
A senior member of the Rapid Intervention Battalion, BIR Major, Essama was shot dead in Kumba, meme division in the South West region. He is the son of Colonel EYENGA, he was shot dead alongside others on the morning of Tuesday, July 26, 2022.
Notorious separatist fighter brought to light in Boyo division North west region
Separatist fighter popularly known as ‘General RK’ in Mbueni Village, Boyo has killed and injured more than 25 people. This incident happened on the 27th July 2022 when the Mbueni people revolted against him, for confiscating all their fertile lands and plantations and even using them as laborer’s. when they revolted his orders, he clamped down on them killing some, torturing them to bend the people to his will. This is exactly what the crisis has become, images are full on social media platforms.
- ABUSES BY COMMUNITY
Njibujang residents beat up suspected separatist for harassing biker at former toll gate Bafut sub division, North West Region.
According to CNA, the incident took place on July 22, 2022, when a suspected member of “Bafut 7 Katar” fighter group, stopped a bike rider at a check point, demanding a sum of 2000 franc. Unable to comply the latter resorted to impounding the bike, which resulted in a fierce fight between two parties. Attracted by passerby rushed to the scene they poured their wrath on the suspected amba fighter, leaving him in a helpless state. According to these residents, they have had enough of the constant extortion from both the fighters and the state armed forces
Armed fulanis invade wum Village in Menchum division North West Region over death of their brothers
After threatening the Fon of Waindo, telling him he’s next in line on the list of kidnapping, after taking ransom of 1.5 million form the Fon of Naikom, the kidnapers kidnapped and slaughtered 4 Fulani men in the early hours of Monday 25th July 2022. Without hesitation, armed Fulani militants attacked a community in Wum subdivision in Menchum division north west of Cameroon. On Monday afternoon of July 25, 2022, the attackers invaded the Aghem communities of Waido and Zonghofe at least 10 persons were injured only on that Monday.
This fight did not end there on Tuesday morning, the natives of Wum also took their angry self to the community grand stand to enter the Fulani quarters and teach the Fulani people a lesson. Fortunately, the elements of defense and security were there to hold them from committing something they might regrate. On Wednesday, the tension reduced as the community Mayor was there to share peace talks so they can find out who did this act of inhumane killing. On Thursday though skeptical, community members timidly went back to do their daily activities even though the natives were on the road blocking it from the Fulani’s to enter their community. The mayor told them to end the blockade.
The next day Friday 29 July, was the big prayer day at the central mosque where some group of native boys went to the Upkwa road and were stabbed to death by the Fulani men who wanted to pass the road. This sparked up another crisis in which the elements of defense and security were there to calm down the natives. It is reported that peace negotiations are going on and things are gradually coming back to normal meanwhile, the perpetrators are still unknown.
For six running years, The English speaking regions are turning into the most brutal warzones The situation is stark, and it’s spiraling. War doesn't care who you are, where you're from or how old you are. It costs lives, shatters families and ruins futures.
The above gross human right violation and the continuous escalation of violence in English speaking Cameroon is a serious call for concern. BIHAPH in documenting this inhumane act calls on all parties to uphold the principles and dignity of human life. It also serves as an eye opener to both state, international bodies and the population on ground to know the stage in which these two regions survive. Human life precedes all state entitlement and should be respected by all.
[i] Mimi Mefo Info
[ii] Cameroon News Agency
[iii] Mark Bareta News