Tita Hyacinth and over two dozen residents have been languishing in Gendarmerie custody for the past two weeks, raising concerns about the arbitrary enforcement of curfews in the war-torn city of Bamenda.
Hyacinth, a meat vendor, was apprehended on his way home from work for violating a curfew imposed by the Mezam Administration specifically targeting motorbikes. He is currently being held at the Gendarmerie Brigade in Ntabassi, along with the other detainees.
This incident highlights the plight of ordinary citizens caught in the crossfire between the government and the separatist movement, the Ambazonian Governing Council (AGovC). The curfew imposed by Mezam’s Senior Divisional Officer, Simon Emile Mooh, has already caused significant hardship, but the situation has been further complicated by the AGovC’s imposition of their own counter-curfew restrictions.
The separatists’ ban on taxis, followed by the vandalization of taxi cars, has instilled fear among drivers. Their subsequent demand that taxis change their colours from yellow to blue and white has been met with confusion and frustration. Implementing such a directive is near impossible, leaving drivers in a precarious situation.
Reactions to the situation have been mixed. Many residents expressed anger and helplessness over the double curfew. They feel trapped between the government and the separatists, with little room for manoeuvring. “It’s like we’re being squeezed from both sides,” said one resident who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal. “We can’t go about our daily lives without getting caught by one side or the other.”
Human rights groups have condemned the arbitrary arrests and called for the immediate release of those detained for violating the curfews. They argue that these restrictions are disproportionate and serve only to punish the civilian population.
“These curfews are a blatant violation of people’s right to freedom of movement,” said a spokesperson for a local NGO. “The authorities must immediately lift these restrictions and ensure that people can go about their lives safely and freely.”
The situation in Bamenda remains tense, with no clear resolution in sight. The curfew chaos is emblematic of the wider conflict, where ordinary citizens bear the brunt of the violence and power struggles.
