By Njoh Linda
The Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam, Simon Emile Mooh, has prohibited all undeclared meetings and public demonstrations in the division, an order that he says takes effect immediately and remains in force “until further notice”. The order was signed on September 23.
The SDO warned that any individual or group found violating the measure will be punished in accordance with the law.
Security Concerns Ahead of October 1
The order comes as October 1 approaches, a date that has carried heightened security significance in Cameroon’s English-speaking North West and South West regions since the escalation of the Anglophone conflict.
October 1 is a day on which separatist groups seeking an independent state they call Ambazonia have historically staged commemorations and public activities to celebrate their “independence”.
It was first declared in 2017 and has been celebrated by separatists since then.
In previous years, such events have been accompanied by increased security deployments, restrictions on gatherings and confrontations between security forces and separatist fighters.
The wider security environment remains volatile.
Recent reporting from Bamenda has documented renewed separatist lockdown measures and security incidents in the North West, while international travel advisories continue to warn of clashes involving government forces and non-state armed groups in the region.
The Mezam administration has not expressly stated in the order that October 1 is the reason for the restriction.
However, the timing has prompted observers to link the measure to the heightened security concerns traditionally associated with the date.
The restriction also comes against the backdrop of a conflict that has continued in the North West and South West since 2017, with civilians facing insecurity, displacement and restrictions on movement and public life.
Amnesty International says abuses by both separatist groups and government forces have continued in the two regions.