Exclusive:Arrested in Lebialem, detained in Dschang -The story of Anglophones arrested, detained far from home

Cries of Agony from distress Lebialem people whose family members have been arrested and whisked to the Menoua.

Several families in Lebialem Division, South West Region of Cameroon are said to be living in agony, consternation, frustration and fear after persistent military raids let to the arrest and detention of scores of their family members, mostly men in Dschang, West Region of Cameroon.

The most recent of such raids took place in M’muock Fosimodi village, precisely at the Mbelenka Market where over 10 businessmen were arrested and taken to Dschang, Menoua Division of the West region for reasons yet to be established. Some of them according sources in Lebialem are Nkwete Christopher, Founji Abel, Forfie Francline whom are family heads.

M’muock Fodimondi is situated about 115km away from Menji the headquarter of Fontem and 95km from Alou, which is the sub Divisional Head.

Though 30 kilometres from Dschang in the West Region, many people have been demanded why people should be arrested in the South West and taken to the West region.

Lebialem, a land-locked Division is one of the localities worst hit by the impasse in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon. The population who before the crisis used to carry out all its transactions with the rest of the country through the Menoua Division because of its dis-enclave and inaccessible nature from the rest of the South West, was banned from interacting with the Menoua since the start of the Anglophone crisis.

It is alleged the decision from the SDO for Menoua came from the Governor of the West Region, Awah Fonka Augustin.

Caught in the heart of the crisis, access to basic necessities became difficult, food stuff like rice could not leave the Menoua to Lebialem, as administrators claim that pro-independence fighters were being rationed through that corridor.

Increasing attacks on hospitals and health institutions forced medical personals to flee, leaving the sick population especially women at the mercy of nature.

The condition in which they are delivered of their babies is dire.

Lebialem, Manyu, Ndian have been most hit parts of the Southern Cameroon since the Anglophone crisis escalated.

Hundreds of persons who could not bear onslaught between Security forces and pro-independence fighters are either seeking refuge in bushes or in Nigeria. The houses of scores of families have equally been set ablaze by the military.

The government of Cameroon has constantly urged the fleeing population to return home but there are no accompanying measures to assure them of their safety as anglophone Cameroon is still being surrounded by security forces.

Human Right Defenders and civil society actors have maintained that military deployment is not a solution to the ongoing crisis. They called on government to release all English speaking Cameroonians arrested in connection with the ongoing crisis and engage a genuine and inclusive dialogue.