Ayaba Cho Lucas, leader of the Ambazonia Governing Council (AGovC), took to Facebook to celebrate the burning of ten trucks in Bafut. This comes amidst ongoing attacks that have targeted mainly civilians in the ongoing Anglophone conflict. Actions such as this over the years, have made efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict more difficult as both the government and the separatists are now engaged in blame games and point-scoring.
Lucas’ Fiery Rhetoric Raises Concerns:
“YOU CANNOT RECONSTRUCT WHAT HAS NEVER BEEN CONSTRUCTED,” Lucas wrote, adding, “We will end every scheme of propaganda in our territory. Ambazonia is your graveyard. Go and reconstruct your country.” His statement suggests defiance against reconciliation attempts and signals a willingness to escalate hostilities. However, the message seems to have been aimed at the wrong target, as a video from the aftermath of the incident includes a civilian crying and asking, ‘God, why?’.
MMI was also able to confirm that, contrary to suggestions in Lucas’ post that the attack had been against the Cameroon government, it had actually been a result of drivers of the trucks refusing to pay money to the separatists.
“Today, in the Bafut forest along mile 23 Wum Road, the transportation of sand was disrupted due to our drivers refusing to comply with the demand of providing 300,000 XAF per tipper truck to Ambazonia fighters. In response, six trucks were set on fire, drivers were abducted, and all their phones were confiscated,” they said.
This response contradicts Locas’ insinuations that the trucks attacked belonged to a foreigner who needed to “go and reconstruct” their country. Rather, it is clear that the attack, once again, targeted innocent Anglophone Cameroonians, trying to make a living in the most difficult of circumstances.
Bafut: A Hotspot of Conflict
Bafut, located in the Northwest Region, has witnessed numerous clashes between government forces and Ambazonian separatists. This incident comes amid ongoing efforts to address the root causes of the conflict and find a peaceful solution.
The Anglophone crisis, sparked by protests against the marginalisation of English-speaking regions, has morphed into an armed conflict. Civilians bear the brunt of the violence, with thousands displaced and reports of human rights abuses.
As one of the leaders of the Ambazonia liberation movement, Lucas plays a significant role in shaping the narrative and direction of the separatist cause. His public endorsement of destructive actions raises concerns about further escalation and undermines international mediation efforts. It further raises the question of who his actual target is and what his endgame could be.
https://twitter.com/ChoAyaba/status/1760653885838880814
International Community Calls for Dialogue:
The international community has repeatedly called for dialogue and a peaceful resolution. Lucas’ statement poses a challenge to these diplomatic efforts, suggesting a lack of willingness from some factions to engage constructively, as their actions continuously target civilians, who are not parties to the conflict.
As tensions rise, the need for a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue becomes more critical. The international community must redouble its efforts to bring all credible stakeholders to the table and find a sustainable solution to end the suffering of the people caught in the crossfire.
