Cameroon: Hundreds flee violence in Southwest in April /update 1

Event

Suspected separatist militants launched attacks on at least eight villages in the Southwest region between Friday, April 13, and Friday, April 20. According to local sources, hundreds of residents have fled the clashes between separatists and Cameroonian security forces, and multiple casualties have been reported. Continued unrest and a heightened security presence is expected in the region in the coming days and weeks.

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.

Advice

Due to ongoing sociopolitical violence, individuals in Southwest and Northwest regions are advised to closely monitor the situation, obey all instructions issued by the local authorities (particularly curfews), and adhere to advice issued by their home government.