Cameroon: Armed attack leaves 22 civilians dead in Kumbo (Northwest Province) February 14

Event

At least 22 civilians, including 14 children, were killed in an attack in Kumbo (Northwest Province) on Friday, February 14. According to humanitarian reports, the attack reportedly took place around 14:00 (local time). No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Similar attacks are possible 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 United Nations 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.