Cameroon: Mayor kidnapped, released in Northwest region October 10-11

Event

Separatist fighters ("Amba Boys") abducted the mayor of Kumbo (Northwest region) on Wednesday, October 10. The mayor was reportedly kidnapped in Sabga while en route to the regional capital of Bamenda and had reportedly been released unharmed as of Thursday, October 11, after the alleged payment of a ransom. Similar kidnapping-for-ransom incidents are possible in Northwest region in the near-term.

Context

Cameroon's English-speaking regions are home to separatist movements and armed groups ("Ambazonians"). It is suspected that the "Amba Boys" are the specific group behind the October 10 kidnapping. Although the 2017 conflict in the English-speaking regions - which left more than 175 Cameroonian soldiers and 400 civilians dead and displaced over 300,000 others - has largely settled, fighting between Ambazonian groups like the Amba Boys and the Cameroonian government still takes place daily in Cameroon's Northwest region, and abductions by these groups are becoming increasingly common.

Advice

Individuals in Northwest region are advised to closely monitor developments to the situation, remain vigilant for militant activity, and abide by all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.