Cameroon’s restive South West region has successfully hosted matches for the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, despite threats from separatists fighters to disrupt t the tournament. The hitch free hosting of matches and delegations saw heavy military deployment across the cities of Buea and Limbe.
Military officers were stationed at Mile 17 Motor Park, a key entrance point into South west regional capital Buea, to reinforce security. It was an action meant to frustrate deadly incidents that have characterised life in the past four years since the Anglophone Crisis turned into an armed conflict.
Buea and Limbe are the only English-speaking towns that hosted AFCON delegations. Both towns hosted teams belonging to Group F during the group stage of the competition. The Limbe Omnisport Stadium where matches were being played, also hosted quarterfinal and round 16 games.
Matches were however played hitch-free in Limbe, a coastal city largely more peaceful than most Anglophone towns in Cameroon.