Cameroon: Deadly clashes reported in Northwest and Southwest /update 1

Event

On Saturday, August 26, a military spokesperson confirmed that violent clashes between secessionist militants and security forces took place in Zoa (Northwest region) on Friday, August 24. According to local sources, militants attacked a Cameroonian military position, killing at least two police officers. At least 21 suspected militants were either wounded or killed during the fighting. 

Also on Friday, militants ambushed a military convoy along the Esu-Wum road (Northwest). Initial reports indicate that at least three soldiers were killed in the ambush. In a separate incident, clashes were reported in the Molyko Mua area of Buea (Southwest), leading to several casualties. Clashes between separatists militants and security forces have become increasingly violent in recent months and additional fighting is expected to continue in the near-term. 

Context

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. The fighting has forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee over the border into Nigeria.

Advice

Due to ongoing sociopolitical violence, individuals in the Northwest and Southwest regions are 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 (CAR); travel to these areas should only be considered with appropriate security protocols in place.