Guzang Fon, Akere Muna condemn execution of two civilians

The traditional ruler of Guzang, HRH Fon Gwan Mbanyamsig III, whose brother was one of two civilians executed in Guzang on Wednesday, has strongly condemned the act.

He termed it a “heinous, horrendous, abominable, satanic, and unsustainable act” that violates human rights and freedom of speech.

The Ambazonia Defence Forces (ADF) pulled out his brother, Mbanyamsig Hansel Ndi, and another civilian, Aburo Cletus, to the Guzang market square and executed them.

“No justification can be given for such an odious act of barbarity, which is against human rights and freedom of speech,” Fon Mbanyamsig III wrote in a release.

The traditional ruler, who had long sought refuge in Yaounde due to separatist threats, urged the population of Guzang to help the government fish out these fighters.

More Condemnation

The leader of the ADF, Lucas Ayaba Cho, claimed his fighters responsibility for the execution.

He termed the two men “blacklegs” and said they were killed for spying for the Cameroon military.

Former presidential candidate, Barrister Akere Tabeng Muna, is among many who have chastised the fighters for the atrocity.

He regretted that the public execution of civilians would wade off “any remaining international goodwill” on the Anglophone Crisis.

In a statement released on his Facebook account, the international lawyer said he was “deeply saddened” by the incident.

Many were bewildered after Ambazonia separatists, on Wednesday, fired several shots at the two men in public, killing them.

“My family has had a cherished connection without the Chiefdom and its people for over a century, so this tragedy hits close home for me,” Bar. Akere Muna said.

The act received widespread condemnation from many actors, including Chris Anu, a leader of one of the separatist factions.

Anu, who once declared himself the president of Ambazonia, said the act was “pure wickedness”. He said it was carried out by “rogue fighters”.

The Senior Divisional Officer for Momo, Fouda Etaba Benoit Narcaise, earlier condemned the act as a total violation of human rights.

The administrator urged civilians to help the government hunt down separatists, whom he called terrorists.

He also urged the separatists to drop their weapons.

Dialogue Is The “Only Refuge”

Civil society actors like Barrister Akere Muna, who has been waging a fierce battle against corruption in President Paul Biya’s government, says a military approach to the Anglophone Crisis is not helping.

“Once again, dialogue remains our only refuge,” he said. “It’s painfully evident that we’re continuously chipping away at any remaining international goodwill.”

Most international bodies, including the United Nations, have not yet reacted to the incident.

The institution has repeatedly called on the Cameroonian government to dialogue with separatists to end the bloody armed conflict in the two English-speaking Regions.

The government, which has been adamant about the call for dialogue, insists separatists should either surrender and be free or face security and defence forces.

Continuous clashes between both parties have only left more bloodshed.

MMI has reported several cases of gruesome attacks on civilians in the English-speaking Regions this year, as separatists continue clamouring for a separate state.

The now bloody quest for independence started as a corporate strike by Anglophone teachers and lawyers who were decrying marginalization by the Francophone-majority government.

Amina Hilda contributed to this report.