Title: “Horror strikes Mamfe again: a massacre of civilians leaves 24 dead”
Introduction :
On Monday, November 6, the town of Mamfe, located in the English-speaking southwest region of Cameroon, was plunged into horror. An unidentified armed group carried out a bloody attack in a neighborhood of the city, causing the death of at least 24 civilians. This new tragedy comes on top of a long series of attacks that have plagued this region since the start of the Anglophone crisis in 2016.
Development :
According to municipal and prefectural authorities, the attack took place around 4:00 a.m., in the Egbekaw district, known for its strong presence of armed groups. Residents were rudely awakened by the flames of an arson attack and those who tried to flee were shot dead in cold blood. The 24 victims are all innocent civilians, including men, women and children.
This attack, described as “terrorist” by the Cameroonian authorities, sowed terror in the population of Mamfe. In addition to the loss of life, ten homes were burned, leaving families devastated and lives reduced to ashes. Some non-governmental organizations estimate that the real toll could be much higher.
The motivations for this massacre remain unclear, but it appears that civilian populations were targeted in retaliation for their supposed collaboration with government armed forces. The Cameroonian government quickly reacted by announcing the opening of an investigation to find the culprits of this heinous killing.
Unfortunately, this attack is not an isolated incident for the town of Mamfe. Since the outbreak of the Anglophone crisis in 2016, separatists have often targeted this region. Three years ago, the town’s mayor was assassinated by gunmen, and the town’s hospital was burned down last year. The local population lives in constant fear, caught between armed separatist groups and government forces.
Conclusion :
The Mamfe massacre is further evidence of the violence plaguing the English-speaking southwest region of Cameroon. Innocent civilians are taken hostage and become collateral victims of a conflict that continues to escalate. It is urgent that the Cameroonian authorities and separatist groups find a peaceful solution to put an end to this spiral of violence so that the inhabitants of Mamfe can finally regain the peace and security they so deserve.