As War Ravages Meme and Ndian Divisions:

 K’ba Flooded with Fleeing ‘Refugees’

-Soldiers set houses ablaze in Kake I, Small Ekombe as populations flee

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

Inhabitants of Kumba, chief town of Meme Division have begun fleeing to safer destinations notably to Mbanga, Loum, Njombe-Penja and Douala in the Littoral Region as the battle between government soldiers and armed separatists rages on.

            The evacuation of families starts as clashes between government soldiers and Amba fighters have become recurrent in nearby neighborhoods, notably Kake I, Kake II, Diffa and Small Ekombe. The clashes have culminated in the burning of houses and shops in these countryside localities that are mostly believed to harbor Amba fighters.

            As the Kumba residents are fleeing, so too are populations displaced from these war-torn localities emptying into town to seek refuge. Men, women, children, old mothers and old fathers are now seen straying in street corners in Kumba. Some are seen going about with bare-feet and with many looking desperate, helpless and confused.

            Some persons who spoke to this reporter said if the Amba boys can succeed to get as close as Kake II and Ekombe then Kumba could be their next target. To them the only way out is to take refuge in other towns.

            The close to one month of deafening gunshots in the villages of Kake I, Kake II and Diffa in Kumba I Sub-Division, and Small Ekombe in Mbonge Sub-Division has culminated in the burning of some homes in these villages. The burning started in Kake II on Thursday when a thick smoke was seen emanating from the village. Shortly after the smoke, military vehicles were seen speeding accross Kumba from the direction of Kake II.

            In the evening at about 7:30pm, a more serious gunshot that lasted for close to 30 minutes was heard around the area with another thick smoke emanating from the area. The gunshots were so serious that it forced many to run from the village to the Mile one and Mbonge road neighbourhoods. The presence of armoured vehicles around the area gave the impression of a full scale war. This caused many to flee for their lives.

            The constant gun battles between security forces and Ambazonia defense forces ahead of national day celebrations left inhabitants of Kumba in a constant state of fear. The burning down of houses in Kake II has left hundreds of families stranded, homeless and displaced. Old mothers and little children are spotted in the streets in Kumba with nowhere to run to.

            It should be recalled that for over a month now Kumba city dwellers have lived with the ear-splitting sounds of gunshots from the nearby villages of Kake I, Kake II and Diffa all in Kumba I sub-division. These inhabitants go to bed to the terrifying sound of gunshots and wake up with the urgent blast of bullets that sound like bombs. This leaves many sleepless.  The gunshots became recurrent as 20 May approached.