Suspected separatists ambush soldiers in Bui department (Northwest region) November 18

Event

Suspected separatist gunmen killed two soldiers in an ambush in Bui department (Northwest region) on Wednesday, November 18. The incident occurred when a mixed patrol team of gendarmes and police officers were ambushed in the Kissem area of Mbiame commune. A civilian bystander was also reportedly killed in the encounter.

Security operations are expected to take place in the vicinity of the incident in the coming days. Further clashes between separatists and government forces are expected to continue in the region over the medium term.

Context

Tensions between Cameroon's minority English-speaking community and the national authorities remain high in the Northwest and Southwest regions, where a separatist movement has transformed into a low-level armed insurgency. The situation has deteriorated considerably since September 2017, when secessionists unilaterally proclaimed independence in the region. The United Nations estimates that at least 50,000 Cameroonians have fled the fighting to Nigeria since the beginning of the conflict, with more than 675,000 others believed to have been internally displaced.

Advice

Those in Cameroon's Anglophone region are advised to maintain a heightened level of vigilance due to the high risk of violence between separatists and the government forces. Monitor local media for the latest updates on the security situation and adhere to any directives issued by local authorities or security forces, including curfews.

The security environment in the Northwest and Southwest regions remains complex. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel. The security environment in the Northwest and Southwest regions remains complex. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.