Cameroon: National Day Celebrated Under Ghost Atmosphere across Anglophone Regions
May 21, 2024By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA – Cameroon celebrated the 52nd National Day on Monday but separatist fighters in the country's Anglophone regions of North West and South West imposed a lockdown to disrupt celebrations. The regions have been ravaged by a prolonged armed separatist conflict since 2016.
In the town of Buea, South West Region of Cameroon, the streets were almost completely ghosted as businesses were shut down. Movements were also curtailed and few vehicles were seen plying the road, which was jammed on every other day. Separatists across the North West and South West regions typically step up attacks and call for ghost towns during National Day celebrations.
Cameroon’s National Day celebrates the anniversary of May 20, 1972, when the Cameroonian people voted to form a unitary state, rather than a federal government. There are still tensions in Cameroon, where the English-speaking regions say they are marginalized by the central government.
This 52nd National Day celebration was held on the theme: “Together for a United, Peaceful, and Prosperous Cameroon." Professor Owona Nguini, Vice-Rector at the University of Yaoundé sees strong relevance in this theme. He said: "While the foundation of stability is still present, the unrest in these regions highlights potential threats to the entire country. They serve as a cautionary tale for what we must avoid to achieve a peaceful nation."
Belo Mayor and 2 others killed
Innocent Ngong, Mayor of Belo council, one of his deputies, as well as Aaron Aghi Ngong, chief of Basic Education in Belo subdivision were ambushed and killed on their way to attend Cameroon's National Day celebration in the subdivision, the region's governor Adolphe Lele L'Afrique said.
"Measures have been taken to trace the authors of that killing and we will be informed on all the developments concerning that situation," L'Afrique told reporters in Bamenda, the chief town of the region
The Governor further stated that the Mayor and the Inspector of Basic Education, Dr Aghi Aaron Ngong, were on their way to the grandstand where they were shot to death by supposed separatists.
A similar attack is also said to have been carried out in the nearby town of Njinkom, but the number of casualties was not yet known due to communication difficulties. This follows an attack on May 10, as separatist fighters ambushed and killed a commander of a gendarmerie brigade and four of his men.
The Anglophone separatist movement is not the sole threat to national unity. Cameroon faces crucial elections in 2025, including legislative, municipal, and presidential polls. This is seen as a significant juncture, especially considering President Biya's age. He turned 91 on February 13, 2024.
Owona Nguini warns of potential post-election instability. "Political campaigning, which often involves heightened activity, can pose risks to the country. However, we are not there yet. The 2025 elections are critical and will likely raise tensions. Once the situation becomes clearer, we will determine if this is simply the usual drama of an election year or if there are genuine threats to Cameroon's security and stability."
The political scientist acknowledges the ever-present risk. He explains that in African contexts, "electoral challenges can morph into political dramatizations that might lead to violence." He hopes that "we don't reach that point."
SOURCE: PANAFRICAVISION
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