Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon: A verified report on the shooting of five civilians in Mile 90, North-West Region
2 min read
On 21 October 2022, on Africa Human Rights Day, the Cameroon Anglophone Crisis Database of Atrocities releases five new verification reports of atrocities perpetrated in the Anglophone conflict in Cameroon. The reports, crafted in partnership with teams at universities around the world and the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA), include attacks at a market, health centre, ecovillage, drinking spot, and remote settlements in 2021 and 2022. Incidents were perpetrated by the Cameroonian military, non-state armed separatist fighters, or Fulani herdsmen.
Shooting of Five Civilians in Mile 90, Nsongwa: Geolocation identified the drinking spot in Mile 90, Nsongwa, where this shooting took place on the night of April 18, 2021. There are numerous contradictory accounts of the perpetrators and narrative of this incident. This case demonstrates the challenge of ascertaining the perpetrator for many incidents in the conflict.
Executive Summary (as published)
Three videos were retrieved from social media by the Database on April 23, 2021. The videos purportedly showed the aftermath of a shooting at a drinking spot allegedly in Mile 90/Nsongwa area, on the outskirts of Bamenda, Mezam Division, North-West Region. Online media reports and social media posts stated that gunshots were fired inside the drinking spot in the late evening on Sunday, April 18, 2021. There were allegedly five victims – three males and two females.
Researchers examined the footage from the incident. Using landmarks visible in the video, researchers managed to geolocate the drinking spot to 5°56’0.06″N, 10°7’42.70″E. Chronolocation supported reports that stated the incident occurred on April 18, 2021. The videos display the aftermath of the shooting, and do not contain evidence of the perpetrators.
Following the shooting, numerous reports emerged pointing to different perpetrators, with some accusing the Cameroon military and others accusing armed separatist fighters. Researchers reviewed the various accounts but could not determine with certainty who the perpetrators were.
Read details or download through the link below:
To anonymously submit photos, videos, or documents to the Database, go to: https://cameroondatabase.ushahidi.io/posts/create/4
To view published verification reports, go to: https://borealisdata.ca/dataverse/cameroon
For more information on the Database, go to: https://research.rotman.utoronto.ca/Cameroon/
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.
