The once-bustling streets of Buea have become eerily quiet as residents stay indoors, fearing the unknown because of a separatist-imposed lockdown. Since Tuesday, the town’s usual vibrancy has vanished, a sharp contrast to normal days.
The sudden change is due to a two-week lockdown declared by separatists fighting to create the breakaway nation of Ambazonia in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon. Their aim is to disrupt the reopening of schools, a move widely criticized as irrational.
Markets, schools, and streets in Buea are now sparsely populated, with only a handful of people seen, according to MMI reporters. Schools across Cameroon officially resumed on Monday, marking the start of the 2024-2025 academic year. However, in Buea, the day began with empty classrooms.
Despite the threat, some schools managed to stay open, particularly boarding schools located in safer areas like Great Soppo and Buea Town. The Governor of the Southwest Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai, visited several of these schools, offering words of encouragement and assuring students of their safety.
Earlier, during a security meeting with regional stakeholders, Governor Bilai urged the population to “terrorize the terrorists,” emphasizing that the Southwest region had endured enough hardship. He called on residents to reject fear, stressing the importance of education and the need for a stable business environment. “Children need to study, and businesses deserve a conducive atmosphere to operate,” the governor said.
Despite his assurances, three days into the lockdown, Buea remains largely deserted. Only a few taxis can be seen on the main roads, and most businesses have stayed closed, awaiting a return to normalcy.
