Cameroon: Rise in kidnapping cases in Anglophone regions

Event

An uptick in cases of kidnapping in the Anglophone area of Cameroon (Southwest and Northwest regions) has been reported in recent months. On average, at least one kidnapping case has been reported every week since October 2017, with many others likely going unreported. Officials, symbols of centralized government power, and foreigners are particularly targeted. According to a human rights activists, vehicles carrying foreigners or displaying license plates from French-speaking regions often come under attack by armed men while traveling through Anglophone regions. Further cases of kidnapping are likely in the coming weeks.

Context

Several high profile kidnappings have been reported in recent months. On April 8, a former judge was kidnapped in the Southwest region before being released three days later. On March 19, Cameroonian security forces launched a military operation to free four hostages held by suspected separatist militants in the Southwest region. One kidnapped Tunisian national was found dead following the raid, while three other hostages - another Tunisian national and two Cameroonians - were freed.

More generally, tensions between the country's minority English-speaking community and the national authorities in the Northwest and Southwest regions remain high. The period since November 2016 has been marked by the closure of all English-speaking schools, strikes, unrest, and sporadic violence. These tensions have escalated considerably since October 2017, when secessionists unilaterally proclaimed independence in the region.

Advice

Individuals in Cameroon are advised to remain aware of the threat of kidnapping and hostage-taking for ransom and to take adequate precautionary measures.

Due to ongoing sociopolitical violence, individuals in Southwest and Northwest regions are also advised to closely monitor the situation, obey all instructions issued by the local authorities (particularly curfews), and avoid protests or large gatherings due to the risk of associated violence.

On a separate note, some Western governments advise against travel to the Far North region as well as other areas bordering Nigeria, Chad, and the Central African Republic; travel to these areas should only be considered with appropriate security protocols in place.