Tragedy in Malende-Muyuka: Bomb Attack Claims Lives of Cameroonian Soldiers in the South west region of Cameroon
The quiet village of Malende, nestled between Muyuka and Kumba in Cameroon’s South West Region, was once again thrust into the spotlight on Friday following a deadly Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) attack by Ambazonia fighters that claimed the lives of at least seven government soldiers. The attack which took place on 05 September 2025 was brutal, killing several soldiers.
According to reports from CNA correspondents, the soldiers were en route to begin their morning shift when their military pickup truck struck an improvised explosive device planted along the road in Candef Rubber Estate, CDC Camp. The explosion was devastating, instantly killing the occupants and marking one of the deadliest incidents in the area in recent months.
A security voice note circulating confirms the grim toll, with a soldier acknowledging the loss of seven comrades in the blast.
Malende has become a hotspot for separatist activity, particularly linked to Ambazonia fighters, who have increasingly relied on IEDs to target government patrols. Over the past few months, government forces have been conducting routine patrols and IED sweeps, often trekking on foot through suspected danger zones to avoid triggering hidden explosives.
Despite these precautions, Friday’s attack underscores the volatile security situation in the Muyuka Subdivision, where road networks are reportedly laced with hidden devices.
This incident is part of a wider pattern of escalating violence in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions, where the conflict between separatist groups and government forces continues to claim lives and destabilize communities. The use of IEDs, once rare in the region, has become a tactical hallmark of the separatist insurgency, posing a persistent threat to both military and civilian movement.
The Presidential candidate, Cabra Libii, who is among the first to make a statement in relation to the heart breaking incident, wrote: “Seven (07) of our brave soldiers lost their lives today in Buea in an ambush. Our sincere condolences to their families. Strength and courage to our defense forces. This is a priority! The Anglophone crisis must be brought to an end.”
The attack, carried out by separatist fighters using an improvised explosive device (IED), marks yet another painful chapter in the ongoing Anglophone Crisis. Libii’s tribute not only honors the fallen but also underscores his campaign’s urgent call for national reconciliation and peacebuilding. In a video which is widely circulated online, the Faction called Ambazonia Unity Warriors of Fako have claimed responsibility for the act. In the video, equipments are shown that they seized from the attack.
The tragedy in Malende is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the urgent need for dialogue, de-escalation, and peacebuilding efforts. As the region mourns the loss of these soldiers, questions linger about the next steps in securing the area and protecting those who serve.
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.
