2 hrs ago
Separatists impose weeklong lockdown in Cameroon's Anglophone regions
Armed separatists have ordered people in two regions of Cameroon to stay home for a week.
They say the lockdown is meant to stop the new school year from starting normally.
Schools, shops and many other activities have closed in Bamenda.
Residents said they heard gunshots and were afraid to go outside.
Separatist fighters threatened people who left their homes during the lockdown.
The government sent more troops to patrol the area.
Officials told residents that security had been strengthened and encouraged them to continue daily activities.
The regions have faced fighting and kidnappings since separatists began seeking independence in 2017.
Armed separatists began a weeklong lockdown Monday in Cameroon’s Northwest and Southwest regions.
Separatist leaders said the action aims to disrupt the new school year’s start.
Residents in Bamenda reported gunshots, closed schools, deserted streets and restricted movement.
Security officials deployed additional troops for day-and-night patrols across both regions.
The conflict has continued since 2017, alongside kidnappings targeting travelers in the Northwest.
- Who
- Armed separatists, residents, regional authorities and security forces in Cameroon’s Northwest and Southwest regions.
- What
- Separatists are enforcing a weeklong lockdown that has closed schools and restricted movement, while security forces conduct additional patrols.
- Where
- Cameroon’s English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions, especially Bamenda and routes in the Northwest Region.
- When
- The lockdown began on Monday; the broader armed conflict began in 2017. Recent kidnappings were reported in June and July.
- Why
- Separatist leaders said the lockdown aims to disrupt the start of the new school year; the wider conflict seeks an independent state.
Separatist position
Government and regional authorities
Purpose of the lockdown
Separatist position
Separatist leaders say the lockdown is intended to disrupt the start of the new school year as part of their independence struggle.
Government and regional authorities
Regional authorities urged residents to continue their daily activities and said security had been tightened.
Movement during the lockdown
Separatist position
Armed fighters threatened to kill anyone who attempted to go outside during the lockdown.
Government and regional authorities
Security officials deployed troops to patrol the regions day and night, while residents reported severe restrictions and fear.
Underlying conflict
Separatist position
Separatists have fought to establish an independent state in the English-speaking regions.
Government and regional authorities
Government forces have confronted the separatists since the armed conflict began in 2017.
Key facts
- Lockdown duration
- One week
- Start date
- Monday
- Affected regions
- Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon
- Reported impact
- Schools closed, streets deserted, shops shut and movement severely restricted in Bamenda
- Security response
- Additional troops deployed for day-and-night patrols
- Conflict since
- 2017
- Recent kidnappings
- Seven passengers were kidnapped in July; about 12 people, including 10 bus passengers, were kidnapped in June
Quotes
An anonymous Bamenda resident
A resident of Bamenda who described conditions during the lockdown to Xinhua by phone.
“We heard gunshots. People are really afraid. The streets are deserted. Shops are closed, and almost all activities have stopped.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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