MINDEF Says Kidnappings, Ghost Towns Still Persist in NW/SW

The Cameroon Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has said the persistent kidnappings, ghost towns, and improvised explosive devices are still a threat to security in the Northwest and Southwest.

The ministry revealed this during a security and evaluation meeting in Yaounde recently.Beti Asomo, the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of defence, chaired the meeting with the aim of assessing the political, socioeconomic, and security challenges in Cameroon.

Another objective was to advocate all possible actions and propositions to eradicate all forms of threats in and around the national territory, especially in the crisis-prone areas.

In the two Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest, there has been an escalated conflict since 2017.

The conflict has resulted in a significant loss of human life and property.But from the evaluation of Mindef, it appears the confrontations with the military and targeted killings have reduced, unlike before.

The ministry stated that kidnappings for ransom and ghost towns currently dominate the situation on the ground, often observed every Monday.

Boko Haram resurfacing with large-scale attacks

Another region they highlighted was the Far North, where a jihadist insurgency has been ongoing since 2014.MINDEF said an in-depth analysis of the situation was conducted. And it appears Boko Haram is regrouping and taking advantage of certain factors to carry out large-scale attacks against the devices of the Multinational Joint Task Force.

The task force comprised the military of the countries affected, which are Nigeria, Cameroon, Tchad, and Niger.

Since the death of Abubakar Shekayo, who was the Boko Haram leader, some of the attacks have died down.Regarding the East’s situation, MINDEF asserted that the seleka rebels remain far from defeat.

The rebels are taking advantage of the vast border and encroaching on Cameroon, conducting abductions.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that armed transhumance, cattle theft, and hostage-taking with ransom demands are occurring in the Adamawa and Northern regions. Our forces, in coordination with the navies of Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Sao Tome and Principe, have successfully contained threats on the coast. The ministry report of the evaluation meeting stated.

The ministry further stated that operations are already underway to thwart the enemy’s actions.

“This meeting underlines the commitment of the Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, to strengthen national security and respond effectively to current challenges, especially during this holiday season, which requires increased vigilance in terms of security.”

The in-camera meeting brought together the Secretaries of State in Charge of the National Gendarmerie and Ex-servicemen and War Victims, the Delegate General for National security, the Director General for External Research, the Inspector General representing the Minister of Territorial Administration, the Defence Chief of Staff, Chiefs of Staff, as well as the Central and Territorial Commanders.

Mimi Mefo Info