Ambazonia Scare:

Monday Ghost Towns Run Buea Dead

The streets of the political capital of the SW region, Buea, remained dead for all of Monday last week, leaving residents stranded, and

workers and business owners helpless and confused. A repeat scenario is expected this Monday as Ambazonia signals only get closer.

By Boris Esono in Buea

The streets of Buea remained deserted on Monday 2 July 2018 as

Amba enthusiasts called for ghost towns. It may thesame scenario this Monday

The populations of Buea were dumb-founded and helpless last Monday as the town observed one of the most crippling ghost towns since the start of the Anglophone crisis back in October 2016. “The town of legendary hospitality” lost its usual verve as business premises and private and public offices remained closed for most of the day. The situation was made worse by the total absence of commercial motorbikes and taxis cabs on the roads.

            “Buea has never witnessed such a ghost town since this crisis started,” noted a Molyko resident, who could not believe his eyes as doors of roadside shops and stores in the notoriously hot neighborhood remained shut, and with no single bar or bank or and other businesses functioning.

Monday 2 July 2018 had thus declared itself “keep fit for all day” as residents had to trek long distances to get to the work place and back. Hundreds of people could be seen walking up the lone boulevard from Mile 17 going up to the Governor’s office and Buea Town.

            “The situation is just too bad. I had to trek from Buea town to Bokwaongo. I can confirm that this ghost town is more serious than previous ones. But it was a good experience for me as I took advantage of the presence of the ghost to do some sports,” remarked a sweating pedestrian as he continued on his way.

            Another said: “I call this an award-winning ghost town. I have been standing by the roadside for more than two hours and not even a personal car, I mean not even one, has passed.”

            The streets of Buea that are known for their usual hustle and bustle have suddenly become deserted like in a city of war. Even the Mile 17 motor park which welcomes visitors into the City with warmth was completely dead on that Monday.

            The fear of the populations could be understood. The attacks and gunfire exchanges have become recurrent. Many say this only announces the presence around town of the dreaded Ambazonia boys.  

            Even as things returned to normalcy on Tuesday and business premises opened their doors and bikes and taxi cabs were circulating again, it was business as usual in areas like Mile 16 and Mile 18 and other neighborhoods where security remained tight ostensibly to stem the active presence of the deadly Amba boys.  

            City dwellers are already predicting that the return of the ghost town will only further worsen the already bad business climate. 

            Recently, Buea has witnessed a wave of gun battles between separatist fighters and security forces. An officer was reportedly killed while another who got missing was later found dead as armed men attacked a gendarme control post around Mile 16, Bolifamba.

            Meantime, in the same week on Sunday July 1, violence was witnessed in Muea as the Bocom petrol station was destroyed and the Muea police station attacked and vandalized. 

            The ‘ghost’ has once again returned to Buea after the tireless and no-nonsense Mayor, Patrick Ekema, and his collaborators at the city council had fought tooth and nail and succeeded to drive it away leaving residents in peace and serenity for several months running.

            Previously, owners of business premises who adhere to instructions from separatists had their shops locked and owners had to pay fines.