Separatists scale-up ‘warnings’ against foreign delegations as AFCON approaches

A few weeks to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon, separatists in the country’s English-speaking regions are making final attempts to halt the tournament.

In usual manner, they have issued a threat to football delegations meant to visit Cameroon in January, asking them not to.

One separatist faction, the Ambazonian Governing Council, in a recent document noted that group F games have been set for Limbe, “territory of the former British Southern Cameroons.”

The unit said it would seize any opportunity to disrupt games and tournament activities set for the town, due to the ongoing armed conflict.

“Consequently, the Ambazonian Governing Council … Warns of the damning effects liable to befall all football delegations and related officials if they chose to participate at the event,” they warned.

The concerned delegations as well as the Confederation of African Football (CAF), they added, should seek justice for their cause “rather than further the provocation.”

The separatists call adds to already existing challenges being faced, including the reluctance of European clubs to release African players willing to partake in the tournament.

The warning also comes just a day after the tournament mascot, Mola visited Bamenda in the North West region under heavy security and covered with a bulletproof vest.

Despite these, a joint CAF and government release has given the go-ahead for the tournament. Regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, it has also been declared that only persons vaccinated will be granted access to stadiums during the competition.