Cameroon: Inter-Tribal land dispute Leaves more than 30 dead in Akwaya Subdivision, Manyu Division, South West Region
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In a communique issued on 27 June 2022 and addressed to the Nation of Cameroon, Human Rights Groups and the International Community, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, Rv Fonki Samuel Forba has revealed more than 30 persons were killed between 25 and 26 June 2022. Below is the full communique which you can download the full and official pdf copy at the end of this publication.
It is with the deepest sadness and pain in my heart that I write at this moment to draw your attention to, and possible action on the perpetrators of gruesome acts of inhumanity on the Messaga Ekol people of Akwaya Subdivision, Manyu Division, South West Region of Cameroon on Saturday 25th June 2022 at a funeral ceremony at Bakinjaw village. The attacks continued on Sunday the 26th June 2022.
It all began as a land dispute between the Oliti people and the Messaga Ekol people of Akwaya. The Oliti people attacked and killed some Messaga Ekol people on their farms on the 29th of April 2022 and the Messaga Ekol people retaliated. The Oliti people then mobilized and got the backup of hired armed men and launched a veryviolent, inhuman and destructive attacks on the Messaga Ekol people. The attacks led to the burning down of houses during which some people were burnt in their houses. Over 30 (thirty) people were killed including children, girls, men, women and old people. Some were beheaded. About 5 (five) Nigerians were killed in this attack.
It is so terrible, wicked, disheartening and the highest manifestation of evil, that children of the same community should carry out such acts of gruesome murder, men-slaughter and destruction on their own brothers and sisters without any scruple of their consciences. The tension between these two communities is boiling.
The perpetrators of this evil and wickedness should be urgently brought to justice to preempt any further escalation. This has brought shame upon us as a people of the same community. I vehemently condemn the perpetrators of these shameful and inhuman acts upon God’s children and pray that such evil and inhumanity never occur again in our community. I am calling on both the political and traditional fathers of Akwaya to meet at thefastest possible time to address this unfortunate situation that has exposed us as unfit to manage our differences. Let justice, peace, brotherly and sisterly love reign.
May the Lord God wipe the tears of the deceased families, give rest to the souls of the murdered, heal the wounded, strengthen the survivals and restore the affected that they may move on with life and hope for a better future. May Akwaya be restored.
Below is the full and official communique
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.
