CHRDA want Cameroon government to investigate and punish perpetrators of rights violation in Wum as Fulani and Aghem inter-communal conflict leads to several deaths.
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Below is the full statement published by CHRDA on their official facebook page on 1 August 2022.
For some time now, there has been rising tension between the Aku (Fulani) herders community in Wum and the Aghem farmers’ community of Wum. It is alleged that the underlying causes of the conflict are farmer-grazer disputes between the two groups, and aggravated by the ongoing armed conflict.[1]
It is alleged that the Non-State armed group operating in Wum killed four Aku (Fulani) headsmen, concretely Hassan Taanu Alh Seere, Abdu Bi Alh Manjo, Hamza Bi Usumanu Tambaya and Dabo Bi Alh Dere.[2] These men were allegedly abducted on the 24th of July 2022 and taken to an unknown destination by the NSAG.[3] The corpses of these men were discovered around Lake Wum on Monday 26th of July 2022 with their hands tied backwards. There were also reports of heavy gunshots on Monday, July 2022 in Wum.
Following the death of the Aku (Fulani) men, it is alleged that their brothers decided to retaliate. Based on available reports, Aku (Fulani) men allegedly entered the Aghem community of Wum on Tuesday 26th of July 2022. It resulted in the killing of at least two (2|) and wounding of several others. Some of the persons injured include the National President of the Aghem Youth, Pastor Ngong Rogers who suffered injuries to the head. Our sources have reported that they attacked a funeral and caused chaos which later led to the death of at least 3 persons while several others are were severely injured and currently receiving medical treatment in different health facilities.
Local media report that the Aku (Fulani) accuse the Aghem community of siding with fighters of the NSAG, who attack them, their properties and their cattle. The Aghem community on their part accuses the Aku (Fulani) of allowing their cattle to destroy their crops and when confronted, they give a deaf ear, locals recount.
Following the retaliatory attacks from the Aku (Fulani), the Aghem community of Wum on the 26th of July 2022 mobilised to also retaliate but were intercepted by the forces of law and order who fired shots in the air to disperse them and arrest the situation. The Fulani organised another reprisal on 29 July 2022, which resulted in the killing of 2 men. Members of the Mbororo and Fulani communities often defend against such retaliations online.[4]
CHRDA condemns these violent attacks and reprisals perpetrated by all concerned parties and urges all groups to work together with the competent administrative, judicial and traditional authorities to discuss and resolve the root causes of these conflicts. Furthermore, CHRDA urges the competent administrative and judicial authorities to promptly investigate all reported incidents and to bring all perpetrators, without any form of discrimination, to justice.
You can click HERE to read original statement from CHRDA
[2] Ibid.
[3] https://mimimefoinfo.com/several-persons-injured-as-fulanis-go-on-rampage-in-wum/ accessed 27th July 2022
[4]https://cameroonnewsagency.com/at-least-10-injured-as-armed-fulanis-invade-wum-over-death-of-brothers/ accessed 27th July 2022
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.
