Soldiers of the 6th Rapid Intervention Battalion celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25 by sharing and communing with children in Mamfe, South West Region, where an armed conflict has been raging since 2017.
They distributed biscuits and candies to children, bringing smiles to their faces and demonstrating that security can also wear a fraternal face.
These elite Cameroonian soldiers have been engaged in operations against separatist fighters in Mamfe and other English-speaking towns for over seven years.
The clashes have caused widespread abuses against civilians and strained relations with the population.
The war has had a devastating tone on civilians, especially in the Mamfe area, where some of the deadliest abuses on civilians have occurred.
“In a region affected by the ongoing security crisis, these gestures of closeness reflect the consistent commitment of the Rapid Intervention Battalion to remain near the people, attentive to their concerns, and supportive of their daily lives,” the BIR stated on its official social media account.
“They serve as a reminder that security is not limited to armed presence but is also expressed through humanity, listening, and sharing.”
During the armed conflict, open interaction between soldiers and civilians has remained rare as Ambazonia separatists usually target those suspected of cooperating with the military.
Tensions between security forces and civilians have also been deepened by numerous documented abuses against civilians during the armed conflict.
Nevertheless, observers note that small gestures such as those shown by the BIR in Mamfe carry symbolic weight in rebuilding trust between soldiers and the local population.
