Anglophone Crisis: CHRDA reports over 300 deaths in 2023

At least 300 people have been killed in the English-speaking Regions of Cameroon since January this year, in addition to several cases of gross human rights abuses, a new report has revealed.

The report released by the Center for Human Rights and Democracy for Africa (CHRDA) also records at least 100 days of ghost towns imposed by Ambazonia separatists in the two regions this year.

The CHRDA report, officially unveiled by the organization’s founder, Barrister Agbor Balla, in Buea on Saturday paints a grim situation of human rights in the Anglophone Regions for the year 2023.

At least five internationally recognized human rights were violated in the Anglophone Regions this year.

These include the right to life; right to freedom; right to movement; right to education; right to dignity; and right to freedom of religion.

Concerning the right to life, at least 300 people were killed; 100 days of ghost town were recorded; over 500 people were arbitrarily arrested and detained; 200 people were kidnapped; 200 cases of torture were recorded; and at least 150 incidents of arson were committed.

Most civilians targeted by separatists were government officials and those they considered “black Iegs.”.

Notable among them were the killing of over 25 people in Egbekaw, Mamfe, in November; the public execution of two civilians in Guzang in October and the killing of at least five teachers, most recently the Vice Principal of GBHS Kumbo.

Security forces, the report says, also targeted those deemed to be supporting the activities of the separatist fighters.

“It shows that the civilian population is not being protected by the state and by the warring factors. When I mean the warring factors, it’s the non-state armed groups in the South and the North West and equally also Boko Haram in the Far North Region,” said CHRDA’s president, Agbor Balla.

“There is a need for a kind of holistic measures by both government and the non-state arms groups, to find a solution where civilians are no target.”

In the Far North Region, currently plagued by the Boko Haram crisis, CHRDA recorded at least 100 deaths.

Most of the attacks were a result of planned assaults by Boko Haram fighters against civilians and their properties.

CHRDA categorizes 2023 as a “regrettably catastrophic” year for Cameroon, with the ongoing Anglophone Crisis presenting enormous challenges, particularly in terms of insecurity and acts of violence.

Points to a missed opportunity for peace, CHRDA notes the government’s refusal of the proposed Canadians-led peace initiative announced by Global Affairs on January 20, 2023.

The initiative, which many thought was going to result in a dialogue between the government and separatists, was thwarted by the Yaounde regime, which disclaimed its involvement.

RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS

Among six recommendations emanating from the CHRDA report is the need for the government to free all persons detained in connection with the Anglophone Crisis.

According to Amnesty International, more than 1,000 English-speaking Cameroonians are languishing in cells in five major prisons in the country. Most of them were arbitrarily arrested and detained.

Barrister Balla said, although this would not guarantee an immediate ceasefire in the two regions, the release of these prisoners would help in the peace and reconciliation process.

“I think that the gesture, for example, on the 31st of December, when the Head of State is addressing the nation, I am urging, I’m calling, I’m pleading with Mr. Biya that let him be a statesman; Let him be the father of the nation to call for the release of the Anglophone detainees, not only them but also those who have been detained in Kondengui for political reasons,” Barrister Balla said.

Regretting the failure of the Canadian initiative earlier this year, CHRDA reiterated calls for the government to organize an inclusive dialogue with separatist leaders in the Anglophone Regions.

Mimi Mefo Info