Sad weekend for Anglophone villages as military intensifies raids

A week ago, the spokesperson of the Cameroon army, Colonel Atonfack Guemo Cyrille Serge appeared on Equinoxe Television where he praised the country’s army combatting separatist fighters in the conflict-hit North West and South West regions.

Describing allegations of human rights abuses and other malpractices by the soldiers as false, he promised that the forces were not going to relent in what they do.

Over the weekend, the soldiers hailed as professional by government and regime apologists once more came under scrutiny for their actions.

In Mbiame, a village in Kumbo subdivision, North West region, locals say Sunday was a sad day for them.

“The military have been torturing both youths and elderly men since 2AM,” a source that opted for anonymity told MMI yesterday.

“Other civilians are in hiding,” he added.

A similar situation was reported in Matoh, a village in Kumba III subdivision, Meme Division, South West region.

Soldiers stormed the village in search of separatist fighters and when none could be found, the civilians bore the brunt of their anger.

A source narrates that they arrested many civilians, firing gunshots in the air and raided homes. A lucky few, he says, were able to escape and are still in the bushes for fear of their lives.

“Last week the SDO of Meme said it was the stronghold of amba boys, which when destroyed, will stop ghost towns in Kumba,” he recalls.

Other deplorable instances were recorded in other parts if the Anglophone regions over the weekend. In a similar incident, two civilians were shot dead in Esu in the Menchum division.

With the reconstruction of the regions set to kick off anytime soon, many remain skeptical about government’s goodwill to put an end to the mayhem.

Image: archives

Mimi Mefo Info