Intertribal conflict, Anglophone crisis leaves Baworo community in Menchum deserted

Baworo, a locality in Menchum Valley Subdivision in Menchum Division, North West Region of Cameroon has been deserted for several months now.

Prior to the Anglophone crisis, a tribal conflict between the locality and its neighbors of Ballin in Akwaya Subdivision had left activities almost grounded.

Raided by soldiers in search of separatist fighters, the locality is now finally a shadow of itself.

The locality, like many others in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions, has witnessed constant gun battles between government forces and separatists often referred to as amba boys.

For fear of their lives, locals have all escaped from the locality and even administrative and security officials have fled.

The Gendarmerie post is deserted, covered with grass, and now home to wildlife.

This is despite the fact that government keeps insisting that all is returning to normal.

During a visit to the North West regional headquarters, Bamenda weeks back, Territorial Administration Minister, Paul Atanga Nji said separatist fighters had been defeated and what was left were a few “pockets of resistance”, despite the fact that a different picture obtains on the ground.

Many have insisted that President Paul Biya convenes a genuine dialogue after ordering for the release of all detained in connection with the crisis as the first step to peace.

This, observers say, will benefit the conflicting parties more than the ongoing propaganda.

MMI