2024-02-11 09:31:16
New serious accusations taint the record of the Cameroonian army in the English-speaking regions. At least 4 unarmed civilians were reportedly killed by soldiers near Kumbo, provoking a wave of anger among the locals.
The scene of the drama would be the locality of Kiyan, located not far from Kumbo in North-West Cameroon. According to consistent testimonies reaching our editorial staff, the massacre took place around a checkpoint manned by separatist fighters.
Civilians caught in the crossfire
That day, several residents were arrested at this checkpoint by an Ambazonian rebel. But the latter must go away for a few minutes, leaving his “prisoners” on the spot.
It was then that a regular army convoy arrived on the scene. Seeing these civilians in the hands of the separatists, the soldiers opened fire with live ammunition without warning. A bloody episode which would have caused 4 deaths among the population.
Unarmed victims according to witnesses
“Three men and a woman all unarmed” would thus be among the victims of this attack according to a local source contacted by us. These apparently were residents arrested at random by the rebels shortly before the tragedy.
Difficult in these conditions to support the thesis of a clash between two regular armed forces. Especially since according to our information, no weapon was found near the lying bodies.
The responsibility of the army called into question
Elements which therefore reinforce the suspicions of blunders involving unarmed civilians, even if no independent investigation will probably confirm this thesis.
Regardless, this umpteenth alleged killing risks further radicalizing locals in the North-West who are increasingly tired of the abuses committed with total impunity. And this on both sides of the conflict…
While the authorities are increasing the number of press releases referring to a “ normalisation » of the situation, this new drama serves as a reminder that the return to peace is still far from being achieved. To the great dismay of the populations caught in the twists and turns of this endless war…