Cameroon: Government admits military involvement in February 2020 Ngarbuh massacre

Event

On Tuesday, April 21, the Cameroonian government admitted that military personnel were involved in the February 2020 Ngarbuh massacre in Ntumbaw, Donga-Mantung division (Northwest region). According to a statement from the presidency, 13 anglophone civilians were killed by three soldiers and auxiliary personnel. Previously, the government denied any wrongdoing after initial reports stated that the group had stormed a suspected separatist rebel base.

Associated protests are possible in Northwest region and other Anglophone areas over the near term.

Context

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. Tensions have escalated considerably since October 2017, when secessionists unilaterally proclaimed independence in the region. The UN reported that at least 50,000 Cameroonians have fled the fighting to Nigeria since the beginning of the conflict in 2016.

Advice

Individuals in Cameroon are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid non-essential travel to the Southwest and Northwest regions, avoid all protests or large gatherings due to the risk of associated violence, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.