Mbessa, a locality in the Belo subdivision of the Boyo division in Cameroon’s North West region, has been experiencing heightened unrest due to recent separatist activities. Armed separatists have continued to target locals, leading to increased anti-separatist sentiments and violence.
On the night of July 23, 2024, armed separatists attacked Mbessa, resulting in the death of Babeh Diense Ngamsi. The attack occurred near Kuokum, a neighboring village, with reports indicating that Ngamsi was killed during the invasion by separatists from Oku in Bui division.
“Mbessa was invaded last night, July 23, 2024, around 11 p.m. by separatist fighters under ‘General Bush Rambo’ from the neighboring Oku Fondom, shooting indiscriminately,” a source told MMI.
The same source, who requested to remain anonymous, provided further details: “One Babeh Diense Ngamsi was killed around Kuokum Village. Babeh Mbuh Eric Nkwah was kidnapped at Asuh Village. Nchindoa Nkain Edmond Loah, still from Kuokum Village, was injured.”
Recent events in Mbessa have seen a rise in separatist violence against civilians. On July 21, 2024, Feyufe Lauratrice Bih was shot and killed for participating in an anti-Amba protest. This protest was ignited by the earlier kidnapping of a villager from Mbessa by separatist forces.
The escalating violence in the region underscores the severe impact of the ongoing separatist conflict in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions.