Two Ambazonia separatist fighters were captured and killed by residents of Pinyin village in Cameroon’s North-West region on Saturday, February 15. The assailants were beaten, dragged through the village, and ultimately set on fire at a local roundabout. A widely circulated video of the incident captures a voice declaring, “This is just the beginning…”
This violent episode signals an escalating frustration and desperation among civilians in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions. For years they have endured brutality from both separatist groups and government forces. The ongoing conflict is rooted in longstanding grievances of political and economic marginalisation. What started as peaceful protests against the Francophone-dominated government turned to widespread violence, with civilians often caught in the crossfire.
Escalating Violence Against Civilians
Since the conflict’s escalation in 2017, separatist militias have increasingly targeted civilians. A report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime and the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) indicates that between 2017 and 2023, separatist groups were responsible for approximately 2,600 civilian deaths. These attacks have included kidnappings, torture, and killings, often aimed at instilling fear and asserting control over local populations.
One of the most egregious attacks occurred in October 2020, when armed individuals stormed the Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy in Kumba, South-West region. The assailants killed seven children and injured thirteen others. While no group claimed responsibility, local authorities attributed the massacre to separatist fighters enforcing a school boycott.
Impact on Education and Daily Life
The separatists’ campaign against education has been particularly tough on civilians. Enforcing school boycotts and attacking educational institutions, they have deprived over 700,000 children of schooling. Students and teachers have faced threats, abductions, and violence for attempting to continue education. In one instance, a high school student recounted being kidnapped and tortured by separatists for attending school.
Beyond education, civilians have suffered from the destruction of homes and villages such as Pinyin. Both separatist fighters and government forces have been implicated in burning down houses, leading to mass displacements and loss of property. The Ngarbuh massacre on February 14, 2020, where 22 civilians, including children and a pregnant woman, were killed by Cameroonian soldiers and armed Fulani militia, exemplifies the severe impact on local communities.
Erosion of Trust and Desperation
The constant violence has eroded trust in both separatist groups and government forces. Civilians find themselves trapped between two hostile entities, with neither offering protection or relief. This environment of fear and lawlessness has led communities to take justice into their own hands, as seen in the Pinyin incident. The mob’s declaration, “This is just the beginning,” signals a potential rise in vigilantism.
The situation in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions demands urgent attention from both national and international actors. Addressing the root causes of the conflict, ensuring accountability for human rights abuses, and providing support for affected communities are critical steps toward peace and the prevention of further descent into chaos.
