Cameroonian Military Allegedly Arming Separatist Fighters

Ndong Emmanuel, also known as Capo Daniel, chairman of the People’s Right Advocacy Platform (PRAP), has made serious allegations regarding the ongoing conflict between Ambazonian separatists and the Cameroonian military. Capo Daniel, who was for a long period, the Deputy Defence Chief of the Ambazonia Defence Forces (ADF) claims to possess irrefutable evidence that the Cameroonian military is supplying weapons to Ambazonian fighters. He says this is particularly rampant in the Mezam Division of the North West Region. According to him, military personnel are involved in weapon exchanges with separatist fighters. He further alleges that the conflict has devolved into an economic enterprise, with military personnel selling ammunition and orchestrating kidnappings for financial gain.

A Prolonged Struggle

These allegations, if substantiated, would mark a significant and troubling development in the Anglophone Crisis, a conflict that has persisted since 2017. The crisis originated from grievances among the English-speaking minority in Cameroon, who have long felt marginalized by the Francophone-dominated government. Over time, peaceful protests escalated into an armed struggle for independence. Activists, mostly in the diaspora, hijacked the grassroot movement and turned it into a quest for a new state. This led to the declaration of the self-proclaimed state of Ambazonia on October 1, 2017, by Sisiku Ayuk Tabe. Despite the fact that Sisiku and some core members of his team have been detained in Yaounde since 2018, the ensuing conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands.

Response and Counterclaims

In response to Daniel’s accusations, pro-government activist Nkonda Titus released a video challenging these claims. Daniel welcomed this challenge, emphasizing the importance of establishing the facts. He analyzed Nkonda’s video, which featured an Anglophone Cameroonian arrested in 2019 for allegedly picking up weapons, pointing out inconsistencies and suggesting that Nkonda may be manipulating the narrative for propaganda purposes.

Amidst these allegations, Capo Daniel argues for the urgent need for dialogue and a new social contract to end the conflict. He advocates for a nonviolent approach to self-determination and a return to the concept of “one country, two people,” reflecting the federal structure that existed prior to the unitary state established in 1972.

A Complex Issue

The Anglophone Crisis has been characterized by complex dynamics, including the arming of separatist groups through various means. Initially, separatists struggled to acquire firearms, relying on hunting rifles and, in some cases, single-shot pistols. As the conflict progressed, they gradually gained access to more sophisticated weapons, capturing some from the Cameroonian Army and purchasing others in Nigeria, where they reportedly enjoyed the support of certain Nigerian Army officers. Fundraising campaigns by diaspora activists, including the introduction of their own cryptocurrency, AmbaCoin, also contributed to their armament efforts. By the summer of 2019, separatist forces had become well-armed, even declaring that they had started producing their own weapons within the Anglophone regions of Cameroons. This development was followed by an explosion in Mamfe that killed four policeofficers. By November 2020, the separatists’ alleged manufacturing of weapons within the Anglophone regions had become a significant concern for the Cameroonian government.

Key Incidents in the Conflict

The conflict has seen several notable incidents, such as Operation Free Bafut in April 2020, where the Cameroonian military launched a week-long operation against the Seven Karta militia in and around Bafut. The operation resulted in the deaths of two separatist generals but did not entirely expel separatist forces from the area. Another significant event was the September 2021 Bamessing ambush, where two Ambazonian separatist groups ambushed a military convoy near Bamessing, resulting in the deaths of 15 Cameroonian soldiers and the destruction of two armored vehicles. This attack led to the announcement of a “paradigm shift” by Cameroon’s Defense Minister, Joseph Beti Assomo, indicating a potential change in military strategy.

Numerous self-proclaimed Ambazonia ‘generals’ and commanders have faced death. Ivo Mbah and Lekeaka Oliver, known as Field Marshall, stand out as significant figures. Lekeake served as a soldier in the Cameroonian army before becoming an Ambazonian separatist commander and leading the Red Dragon militia in Lebialem. Others, including Mbashie Clement, known as ‘No Pity’, Sagon, Ayeke, Efang, aka Big Number, Chacha, Weapon and recently JC, have also faced death. The fate of the latter however, remains questionable.

The Urgent Need for Transparency

Despite the killing of all these commanders, new ones have emerged and there have been persistent allegations of some collaborating with the Cameroon military. Recently, people in Bamessing and Kedjom Ketinguh, alleged that Ngeh Cyprian, aka ‘The Only Bro’ collaborated with some Cameroonian soldiers to kill another separatist, Tum Raymond. The allegations made by Ndong Emmanuel, if proven true, therefore corroborates some of these stories. It further suggest a deeper level of complexity and internal corruption within the Cameroonian military, potentially exacerbating the conflict and hindering efforts toward a peaceful resolution.

These claims highlight the urgent need for transparent investigations and open dialogue to address the underlying issues fueling the Anglophone Crisis. This is particularly neccessary following recent statistics which have shown that both the military and separatists have been targeting civilians more. Recent instances are the killing of five civilians in Bamessing by Ngeh Cyprian on February 19th and the killing of six civilians by the Cameroon military in Pinyin on February 23rd. Despite these killings of at least 11 civilians in one week, there has been no official communication from the Cameroon government.

Mimi Mefo Info