Cameroon: US national killed by separatists in Bamenda Oct. 30

Event

A Christian missionary from the US was shot and killed on Tuesday, October 30, while traveling from Bambili to Bamenda (Northwest region). According to the Ministry of Defense, the attack was carried out by Anglophone separatist militants, four of whom were later neutralized by security forces in the area; however, the circumstances surrounding the death remain unclear. Cameroonian authorities have called on all foreign nationals present in the Anglophone Northwest and Southwest regions to register with local administrative authorities in order to make sure they have adequate protection.

Further such incidents are possible in the near-term as tension between Anglophone separatists and the government have become increasingly violent in recent months.

Context

Tensions between the country's minority English-speaking community and the national authorities in the Northwest and Southwest regions remain high amid an ongoing separatist movement. The period since November 2016 has been marked by the closure of English-speaking schools, strikes, unrest, and 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

Individuals in Northwest and Southwest regions are advised to closely monitor the situation, follow 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.