Cameroon: Violence continues in Anglophone regions amid general strike /update 3

Event

Suspected anglophone separatists attacked the convoy of the governor of the Southwest region on Tuesday, February 12. According to military sources, the convoy, which was travelling between Buea and Kumba was attacked five times, resulting in at least 11 people injured.

The attack took place amid a ban on all activities declared by Anglophone separatists in the Southwest and Northwest regions on February 5. As of Wednesday, February 13, public transportation services reportedly remain suspended and vehicular traffic remains restricted. The general strike is scheduled to persist until at least Thursday, February 14.

Further violent incidents, as well as clashes between security forces and separatists are possible in Northwest and Southwest regions over the near term.

Context

Violent incidents have taken place since February 5 in the southwestern towns of Limbe, Buea, Mutengene, Kumba, Mamfe, and Tombel, as well as in the northwestern towns of Bamenda, Kumbo, Ndop, Nkambe, Bafut, and Kom, in which at least 73 people were killed.

Tensions between the country's minority English-speaking community and the national authorities are high in the Northwest and Southwest regions 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 regions.

Advice

Individuals in Northwest and Southwest regions are advised to closely monitor the situation, follow all instructions issued by the local authorities (e.g. particularly curfews), and avoid protests or large gatherings due to the risk of associated violence.