Scenes of War:

Horror engulfs Buea as Scores of People are killed

By Boris Esono in Buea

Some 5 Mondial Agency buses torched by separatist forces over the company's non respect of ghost town

For almost 24 hours, the town of Buea was gripped in fear and panic as heavy gun battle ensued in the town last Monday July 9 between government forces and  separatist fighters.

            One of the most ghastly battles in town left some 7 soldiers killed in the fighting, as was reported by some media organs.                                  Meantime, this reporter could independently confirm that some two civilians were also killed in the cross fire, although the figures could be high.

            In Buea like in other major towns in NW and SW, Mondays have easily become ghost town days. The ghost had disappeared for months. Shops, bars, offices and others are shut down on Mondays. Movement of vehicles, bikes and pedestrians is absent..

            At about 7am Monday morning, reports of gunfire were heard around Mile 16 spreading to other areas such as Mile 17, Muea, Molyko, Bomaka and Bonduma. A video circulated over social media shows “Amba” forces parading the streets of Mile 16 firing gunshots in the air.

            Heavy troops deployment did not deter the Amba boys, who put down the soldiers one by one. Some soldiers wounded in the battle were rushed to the Buea regional hospital for urgent attention. Some reportedly died there later.

            An uneasy calm returned in the afternoon in some neighborhoods like Bonduma and Molyko. But sounds of gunfire returned in the evening around Molyko and Mile 16. 

            Tuesday July 10 brought with it much relief for the population as normal activities resumed. Commercial bikes and taxis could be seen plying the streets. Businesses were all opened while the population continued with their various activities.

            Even though the situation was much calmer on Tuesday, security forces stormed the Buea central market in search of suspected separatists or those linked to them. This caused pandemonium in the market as traders took to their heels to look for shelter.

            “Separatist fighters entered several areas of the city and started firing guns in the air. The army and police retaliated with no less ferocity,” one witness said.

            Inter-urban transporters were not spared as the violence engulfed Mile 17. Some 5 buses owned by the Mondial transport company were set ablaze. Reports said the burning of the vehicles was because the company was seen working on ghost town days.

            The violence also spilled over to the GCE marking centres in Buea. Markers who were on post took cover under their desks for safety. The hastag “sleep on the floor” challenge was seen all over social media as several people in Buea were pictured on the floor for fear of stray bullets as the gunshots increased.

            Yesterday Sunday, 15 July, there were reports of incessant gunfire in Mile 14, Mile 15 and Kombo village behind the Buea Universty. No casualties were reported.

            Buea, the capital of the Southwest region is home to most of Cameroon’s English-speakers who account for about one tenth of a mainly French speaking population of about 22 million.

            Years of resentment at perceived discrimination at the hands of the Francophone majority fuelled demands for Anglophone autonomy which last October 1, 2017 culminated in a symbolic declaration of independence.

            Since then, violent exchanges between the two forces have continued. A government statement last month talked of 74 soldiers and 7 police officers killed by separatists since late 2017. It said more than 100 civilians had died “over the past 12 months”. 

            The ongoing chaos in the two English regions has had a profound impact on the economic and civilian life. UN says 160,000 people have been internally displaced and 20,000 have sought refuge in neighboring Nigeria while the economy of these regions is slowly grinding to a halt.

            In trying to look for a lasting solution to the crisis, the government on June 20 announced a 12.7 billion FCFA humanitarian aid to the regions. Reports indicate that the public and various officials have already amassed more than half a billion FCFA to the fund.