By David Atangana
Two civilians are reported to have been killed in Bamali, Ndop of Ngoketunja Division of the North West Region of Cameroon.
The acts condemned by locals were carried out by self-proclaimed ‘General’ Leonard Tatoh, an armed separatist commander in the locality.
Sources say he executed a certain Sacho Mathias around one week ago.
Meanwhile, Lawrence Mango, a businessman, met the same fate on Tuesday, July 5, 2022.
He was reportedly shot dead at Three Corners Bamali, the most popular junction in the small village, neighbouring Bamessing and Bamunka.
Steeped in confusion as a result of the latest targeting of harmless civilians, villagers say the action of the separatists is likely a reprisal against the killing of Separatist ‘General Transporter’ a little over a week ago by government soldiers.
“Last week Amba General Transporter was killed and so-called General Leonard Tatoh is blaming the people of Bamali for collaborating with the military”, a local lamented.
Same source said, “………these two civilians killed had nobody working with the government not to talk of the military.”
“Mr. Lawrence was my uncle. He was a rice trader and had no business with Amba “, a family relative told MMI, adding, “He was picked by Separatists on his way to supply rice in Bamenda. All his goods plus money were seized before he was shot dead.”
A victim of separatist atrocities who opted not to be named also lamented that the fighters have found delight in killing, harassing, and kidnapping them for ransom.
“Last month my grandma was kidnapped and a ransom of 800,000FCFA was taken from me before her release, for no reason,” said the victim, adding that, “am not a civil servant, am just a businessman, and they told me I have not supported them in the war.”
The current conflict that started in 2016 with a demand by lawyers and teachers for reforms, which they hoped will mitigate the marginalisation of the English-speaking minority in Cameroon, has long metamorphosed into a bloody conflict where civilians are the most targeted for reasons far removed from the original objectives uprising.
