Two taxis were burned early today in the Che Street area of Bamenda, allegedly by armed Ambazonia separatist fighters. Witnesses reported that the perpetrators, linked to the ongoing Anglophone crisis, set the vehicles ablaze in what appeared to be a show of defiance against government-backed systems and to impose their demands on the local population.
This incident is part of a broader trend of separatist attacks targeting commercial taxis. Separatists are reportedly pressuring taxi operators to repaint their vehicles from the government-sanctioned yellow to blue and white. These demands, however, have been rejected by drivers who fear legal repercussions and public resistance. This is because the current yellow color is widely recognized and enforced by authorities
The attacks have created widespread fear in Bamenda, a city already struggling with economic strain and insecurity due to the protracted conflict. Residents lament that such incidents are becoming increasingly frequent, disrupting daily life and endangering livelihoods. Despite the ongoing threat, authorities have yet to respond publicly, leaving citizens uncertain about their safety.
The Anglophone crisis, which started in 2016, has fueled such violence as separatists seek to enforce their control in English-speaking regions of Cameroon. Acts like these highlight the precarious situation in Bamenda, where civilians bear the brunt of the conflict’s consequences.