Kumbo administration declares ‘war’ on traders, civilians adhering to separatist fighters’ orders

Traders at the Kumbo main market in the North West region have not had it easy this week. For several months now, Kumbo has been a hotspot for violence resulting from clashes between soldiers and separatist fighters.

Traders say it just keeps getting worse. On Thursday August 6th traders say they were forced out of the market by soldiers who used some of them to take off roadblocks set by separatist fighters.

“The DO of Kumbo and the mayor have tuned the town upside down. For about three days today they have sent the military to raid the market. They’ve fired rounds in the air and arrested people” a traders tells Mimi Mefo Info.

The Divisional officer, he adds “said as traders have decided to listen to amba boys they (administration) will make all of Kumbo a bush.”

“They have also restricted shop owners from leaving their shops. Everyone is angry with the government. They can’t say they want peace and are looting people’s shops” he vents.

Civilians have been left to bear the pains of the impasse between separatist fighters and the administration.

“The DO and mayor want civilians to stop listening to separatist fighters. When the boys talk they obey but don’t listen to the administrators. That’s their main problem” the trader explains.

Similar challenges exist in the town over the park to use when loading vehicles to leave for Bamenda. While separatist fighters say the Mbve park should be used, government insists the Njavnyuy park constructed by the council should be used.

Mimi Mefo Info