Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon: OHCHR Report an increase in the use of explosives between 1-30 November 2021
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Published on 14 Jan 2022, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Cameroon have in collaboration with humanitarian partners have documented humanitarian/human rights issues relating to the ongoing Anglophone crisis in Cameroon. The report covers the period from 1 to 30 November 2021.
The situation report in the North-West and South-West regions (NWSW) also highlights that the armed conflict in the regions have remains highly fluid, as fighting continues between State security forces (SSF) and non-state armed groups (NSAGs).
HIGHLIGHTS
Four children aged between 12 and 17 years-old, and one teacher, lost their lives in a NSAG attack on the Government Bilingual High School in Ekondo Titi, Ndian division, South-West region.
Incidents of diversion and looting of food supplies forced the World Food Programme (WFP) to temporarily suspend distribution in Meme and Menchum divisons, North-West region.
A 13-year-old boy was severely injured after picking up an improvised explosive device (IED) in Mezam division, North-West region.
The cholera outbreak in the South-West region continues to spread. At least two health districts have confirmed new cases, with 134 cases and 6 deaths in total. The case fatality rate is 4.4 per cent as of 25 November.
Used of Explosive Devices
According to the United Nations Office, there has been continuous use of Improvised Explosive Devices by NSAGs mostly against the Cameroonian military resulting to life and material damages. A total of use of 13 explosions were reported by humanitarian actors across both regions, especially in divisions with high humanitarian presence such as Fako, Meme and Manyu in the SW and Mezam, Momo and Ngo-Ketunjia in the North West. These explosive devices have also been use on roads regularly used by civilians and humanitarians, and civilian casualties have been reported. Furthermore, November saw explosive incidents targeting civilians, or indiscriminate explosions in public spaces, such as the explosion at the Buea market. On 30 November, a 13-year-old boy was severely injured after picking up an IED in the Mezam division in the NW.
Attack on Student and teachers
On 9 November 2021, NSAG fighters intruded Government High School Oku in the NW and abducted the principal and two teachers. On 10 November, an explosion injured 11 students in the amphitheatre of the University of Buea, in the SW region. On 24 November, four students and one teacher were killed and several injured during an attacked by unidentified gun persons at Government Bilingual High School in Ekondo Titi in the South West Region
Access to Humanitarian Actors
Insecurity continues to impede humanitarian access from 16 to 19 November and 23 to 26 November, due to clashes between NSAGs and SSF, with the latter closing 160 km of road between Kumba and Mamfe, in the SW. Passengers could reportedly only cross checkpoints on foot, but no vehicles were allowed to pass, including humanitarian vehicles.
As a result, WFP food supplies could not be transported beyond Kumba. Humanitarian stakeholders advocated to open a humanitarian corridor to access the population in need of assistance, ambulances were granted access to the areas between both towns. On 24 November, a truck transporting humanitarian food commodities was intercepted and diverted at gunpoint by a NSAG commander in Mabanda village, Meme division in the SW. A similar diversion by an armed group of an NGO truck transporting food was reported at Mile 6 Akum village, Menchum division in the NW.
Protection of Civilians
Protection continues to be a major concern as civilians continue to be arbitrarily arrested, assaulted, abducted for ransom and denied access to basic services. Civilians are accused by both parties to the crisis of supporting the other side. In November, NSAG attacks and military operations led to the displacement of over 1,000 persons in the NWSW.
Click HERE to read/Download the original publication from OCHRDA
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
