Buea Bishop, CHRDA tell separatists to stop targeting civilians

By Amina Hilda

The Center for Human Rights and Democracy for Africa (CHRDA) and the Bishop of the Buea Diocese, Michael Miabesue Bibi, have condemned the targeting of civilians by Ambazonia separatist fighters.

The human rights and religious bodies were reacting to a recent attack orchestrated by separatists in Buea, headquarters of the crisis-hit South West Region.

During the attack, separatists burnt four vehicles, severely injured a man, and killed Musonge Derick, a native of Bova village in Buea.

In a release dated January 30, 2024, Bishop Michael Bibi strongly condemned violence, stating that the attack was unacceptable.

He also extended deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and sent encouragement to those injured.

Acts of violence, he said, “are unacceptable and we condemn them in the strongest terms”.

He added, “At this painful moment, we must come together as a community and find solace in our faith. It is only through our steadfast faith that we shall find both the hope and courage to face the uncertainties that surround us.”

In a separate release, CHRDA vehemently condemned the “barbaric and inhuman attack and killing of at least one civilian by armed separatists in Buea”.

The organisation, which has been instrumental in documenting cases of human rights abuses in the Anglophone Regions, said the recent attack violates international law.

“Taking into consideration that these attacks violate International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, CHRDA condemns these barbaric attacks perpetrated by the separatist fighters and urge the separatist leaders to caution their fighters to cease attacking civilians and civilian properties and to respect human rights and humanitarian law standards,” the organization said.

The attack was perpetrated by a group called the Mountain Lions of Fako, which is controlled by diaspora-based separatist leader, Samuel Ikome Sako.

The group has claimed responsibility for several other attrocities in Buea and Fako Division in the past.

Residents of the South West and North West regions have, for nearly seven years now, suffered enormous atrocities from separatist fighters and government forces.

The separatists have carried out summary killings, kidnappings, torture, enforced ghost towns and school boycotts and caused the displacement of thousands of people.

Meanwhile, the police and the military have faced accusations of arson, forced displacement of civilians, killing, rape, torture and arbitrary arrest and detention.

Amid the unending violence, human rights groups like CHRDA as well as religious bodies like the Catholic Church have continually called on the Cameroon Government to dialogue with separatists.

Mimi Mefo Info