Transporters and commuters along the Bamenda-Enugu corridor have remained stranded at car parks in Bamenda, the capital of the restive North West Region of Cameroon
Separatist fighters in Bali – 21.7 Km Distance from Bamenda town have since May 20th – blocked the road along this corridor from Mile 90 in Bamenda.
May 20th is observed annually as National Unity Day in Cameroon, but separatists who have been fighting for a break-away state called Ambazonia say the referendum that united their territory (the British South Cameroons) in 1972 and the Republic of Cameroon was a sham.
The had called for a lockdown prior to the day, to voice their resentment.
One of the stranded road users who have been on the spot for hours say: “The road has been blocked since morning. We have been here, no food, nothing. Some passengers don’t have anything to eat. Some have eaten mangoes and others roasted corn. Up to now we don’t even know if they will open the road today.”
Thousands of people that left Ekok-Mamfe and some parts of the village have been blocked here in Batibo.
“We were going to Bamenda town. We are all blocked here and we don’t know if they will open the road today,” bemoaned another traveler.
Apart from road blocks – the Ambazonian colours; blue and white are painted on the road to represent the flag of self-proclaimed Ambazonia territory. The territory’s independence was declared in 2017 by the now jailed leader of the separatist movement; Sisiku AyukTabe.
Today happens to be the Guzang and Widikum market days in Momo Division where fresh foodstuff serve the urban population in Bamenda.
‘Buyam-sellams’ who had moved to these markets for early purchase today, so as to return to Bamenda on time have been held from returning home.
Business persons who usually take their products to these bush markets on their part, remain stranded in Bamenda.
It is alleged that the fighters last night killed two soldiers of the Rapid Intervention Battalion, BIR at Ghungong for attempting to unblock the blockades.
The fighters have not made any statement yet on when the road will be passable.
As we went to press, state forces and armed separatists were locked in deafening gun battles.
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