Bamenda Residents Caught Between Two Fires: The Intersection of Extortion, Kidnappings, and Taxi Burnings

Bamenda, a city already plagued by ongoing conflict and instability, is now facing an alarming rise in incidents that suggest both separatist groups and government forces may be exploiting residents for financial gain. Recent reports from the city reveal a growing sense of frustration and fear among the population, as business owners and taxi drivers find themselves targeted from all sides.

A recent case that has sparked outrage among locals involves a shop owner who was kidnapped for allegedly failing to pay a so-called “Amba fee,” a payment demanded by separatist fighters. According to a resident who spoke to Mimi Mefo Info (MMI) under the condition of anonymity, the shop owner was abducted on a Friday evening but managed to pay the fee that same day, receiving a receipt for his payment.

However, the very next morning, another group entered the same shop, demanding proof of payment. When the shop owner presented his receipt, the group confiscated it. Later that afternoon, the Gendarmerie Mobile Intervention (GMI) police arrived with the same receipt and arrested the shop owner. “He was taken to Up Station, where he was threatened to pay a sum of 1 million CFA francs. It was only through the intervention of some lawyers that the amount was reduced,” the resident recounted. The incident has raised troubling questions among locals about possible collusion between the police and separatist fighters. “Are these police officers working with the Amba boys to suffer business people in Bamenda, or are they playing the game in the name of Amba to make money for their lords and themselves?” the resident wondered.

The climate of fear and extortion extends beyond shop owners to the city’s taxi drivers, who face their own set of challenges. A disturbing trend has emerged where taxis are being burned, and the reasons behind this remain murky. While Buea, another city embroiled in the conflict, has not experienced similar issues, Bamenda’s taxi drivers are increasingly pressured to remove their yellow colours and operate as private vehicles to avoid being targeted.

This situation has led to a complex web of exploitation, with both separatists and government forces seemingly benefitting from the chaos. Drivers who switch to private vehicle colors are frequently extorted at checkpoints by military personnel. “Military men have become legalized highway rulers, collecting control fees at checkpoints daily. A driver in town now has to settle at least 7,000 CFA francs per day,” another resident lamented. The taxi burnings have only exacerbated this situation, leading to speculation that the perpetrators could be either uniformed men capitalizing on the chaos or separatist fighters aiming to cripple the taxi business.

The situation is further complicated by the actions of the Bamenda City Mayor, who has ordered 18 new cars to operate within the city, charging residents 100 CFA francs per drop. This move has been criticized as an attempt to undermine the existing taxi business, which already pays hefty park fees annually. “More than 1,500 taxis are paying park fees on a yearly basis, yet the mayor is bringing in new cars instead of addressing the poor road conditions and other pressing issues,” the resident added.

The frustrations of Bamenda residents are palpable, as they feel trapped in a vicious cycle of extortion with no recourse. “The level of town extortion by government officials is alarming,” the resident concluded. “If they were at least issuing receipts from the treasury, it would be better, as some of the money could go back into public services.”

As the situation in Bamenda continues to deteriorate, the lines between friend and foe have become increasingly blurred. For the people of Bamenda, the struggle for survival has become a daily battle against both separatist threats and governmental exploitation, leaving them to wonder who, if anyone, is on their side.

Mimi Mefo Info