In a grim turn of events, two villagers in western Cameroon fell victim to public "executions" carried out by separatist rebels. This incident unfolded in a region gripped by ongoing conflict between the military and separatists from the English-speaking minority. These separatist rebels have unfortunately become known for such brutal actions, as reported by the prefect on Thursday.
The deadly conflict between these two groups has persisted for nearly seven years, primarily in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon. Both sides have faced accusations of committing crimes against civilians, a deeply concerning issue flagged by international NGOs and the UN.
The recent incident occurred when a group of armed insurgents raided the village of Guzang in the North-West region. They forcibly abducted two civilians from their homes and then executed them in a market square, right before a helpless crowd of onlookers. The victims included the younger brother of the Fon (traditional chief) of Guzang and a local trader, as confirmed by the prefect.
These armed groups are often labeled as "terrorists" by authorities, as they advocate for the independence of the English-speaking regions. They frequently carry out targeted assassinations of civilians, particularly civil servants and teachers whom they accuse of collaborating with the central government.
The attackers alleged that the victims were cooperating with the army, according to an anonymous local official and a leader from a local civil society organization who spoke out anonymously due to fears of reprisals.
Amnesty International has repeatedly raised concerns about the "atrocities" committed against civilians, including "extrajudicial executions," "homicides," "torture," and "rape," perpetrated by both security forces and armed separatists.
The conflict traces its roots back to late 2016 when President Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon for over four decades, forcefully suppressed peaceful demonstrations by English-speaking communities who felt marginalized and ostracized by the central government. Subsequently, various groups took up arms and declared the "independence" of a region they refer to as "Ambazonia."
President Biya, known for his uncompromising leadership, deployed a substantial military presence to the region in response. Regrettably, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 6,000 people and displaced more than a million, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG).
In addition to acts of violence, armed groups are also involved in kidnappings for ransom. In a recent development, an army operation in the North-West region resulted in the release of 11 villagers, including a woman, who had been abducted near Kumbo. These incidents underscore the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon.