Cameroon Ministry of Defense denies the killing of civilians in Mautu, Southwest Region
2 min read
On 10 January 2021, at least eight civilians were killed in Mautu, a locality in the armed conflict Southwest region of Cameroon. News channels/platforms such as Mimi Mefo Infor, Cameroon News Agency and institution such as the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa are pointing the accusing fingers towards the Cameroon Defense and Security forces. Below is the ful statement from the ministry of defense and security forces.
“The Ministry of Defence hereby informs: at midday on Sunday 10 January 2021, and based on information received from the population, elements of the 21st Motorized Infantry Battalion carried out a preventive raid on the positions of terrorist groups under the orders of the so-called “Spirito” and “Gabonais” in the locality of Mautu, Muyuka Sub-Division, Fako Division, South-West Region.
At the sight of military vehicles, these armed individuals, surprised in the middle of their gathering, immediately opened fire on the elements of the Defence Forces, who provided an adequate response. As a result of the skirmish, some terrorists were neutralized, others who were injured took to their heels, weapons and munitions were recovered.
Combing operations are still ongoing in the area to find any injured fugitive. It is worth underscoring that in the evening of this operation, carried out in strict compliance with the rules of engagement, terrorist leaders, proponents secession, apparently overwhelmed by the turn of events, conceived in their occult offices, a hotchpotch of gruesome images in a bid to blame our Defence Forces, for a blind massacre perpetrated in Mautu.
In any case, High Command has prescribed thorough investigation to clarify these obscure machinations and to shed light, if necessary, on the content of the gruesome images in circulation. /-
Navy Captain
TONFACK GUEMO Cyrille Serge
of Communication Division.”
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.
