Anglophone Armed Conflict: Mixed Feelings As Cameroon Defense Minister ‘Begs’ For Civilian-Military Cooperation

The population of the North West Region of Cameroon has been reacting to calls for them to form an alliance with the army to cause peace to return to the region.

On Wednesday, September 22, 2021, Cameroon’s Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defense, Joseph Beti Assomo on a one day visit to the region said ” the country needs peace with the sincere and patriotic suports of all its daughters and sons.”

The call for a Civilian – Military corporation has not gone down well with the population who complain that their rights are being trampled upon by the same people they are expected to collaborate with.

“How can we collaborate with the same soldiers who treat us like conquered people?” Martin (not his real name) asked, adding that “they have never treated us with love. Collaborate with them at your own risk. The best way is to remain in the middle while trumpeting the calls for a genuine dialogue to end the war.”

According to this lady, a buyam sellam at the Bamenda food market who opted to be addressed only as Nanga, her son was arrested when he reported some bad guys in the quarter to the gendarmerie.

“My son saw some boys at old CENAJES harassing people returning from their job sides. He alerted the gendarmes who came more than an hour late. The following day, my son was called to come explained what happened. We only got information that he had been detained for being an Amba and that if he fails to bring the boys, he will be killed and to safe him, we should bring five hundred thousand francs,” she narrated, asking if any right-thinking Anglophone Cameroonian will dare work with the military.

She said the son was only released after they had paid 170.000 (one hundred and seventy thousand francs) at Legion, Up-Station in Bamenda.

A commercial bike rider by name Bertrand told Mimi Mefo Info that his bike was stolen and was discovered at the gendarmerie post in Tubah.

He said when he got there, he was asked to bring the documents.

“I was very happy when I was told to bring the documents. I ran home, brought everything only to receive a slap which followed by name giving. They called me a separatist fighter. My family paid 200.000FCFA (two hundred thousand francs) for my release not even without my bike, how can I collaborate with such people, never,” he said.

The cries have been loud, complaints have been tabled at the appropriate quarters but were thrown out.

The same people calling for corperation ties between the population and the military have been mute over the poor treatment meted on the population by those they are expected to work with, Loh Michael lamented to MIMI Mefo Info.

However, they are those who say they are willing to work with the forces of law and order in and only if their Rights are respected.

Some said, they will be ready to provide their unconditional support if it will be geared towards causing another dialogue that would address the root causes of the Anglophone Crisis.