Anglophone Conflict:

Amba Groups Clash in Muyuka over Cocoa Tax Collection

Ambazonia Fighters from Marumba

At least 25 gunmen suspected to be Ambazonia fighters belonging to two different camps have been killed in a deadly clash in the locality of Munyenge, near Muyuka in Fako Division of the SW Region. Eyewitness reports said the violent clash on Wednesday, 12 December, was the result of a disagreement over which of the groups should collect taxes from cocoa buyers in the Munyenge area.

                The Median gathered that early Wednesday, a group of fighters claiming to be Ambazonia Fighters from Marumba, a village in Mbonge subdivision, crossed into Munyenge in Muyuka suddivision and asked cocoa producers in the village to hand to them the tax imposed on all licensed cocoa buying agents (LBA) in the area. The tax is levied at FCFA 500.000 per licensed buyer.

                We gathered that when the news of the incursion by the Marumba Amba fighters got to another separatist group in Munyenge, they immediately wadded in and challenged the tax collection. The Munyenge boys said it was their territory and no trespassing is tolerated.

                The brawl that ensued resulted to a violent battle daylong battle that left heavy casualties on both sides, reported a source that asked not to be named.

                “We were around the Mountain forest area in Munyenge when the fighting started around the village stream called “number One water”. The Commander of the ‘Amba Boys’ in Munyenge told the intruders from Marumba that they had no right to enter his territory and collect taxes from farmers.

                The fighting erupted as the Amba boys from Marumba tried to arrest the leader of the separatist group in Munyenge.

                At least 25 fighters from both camps perished in the battle, reported our source.

Munyenge and Marumba are farming localities linked through kilometres of bush paths. A majority of the people in the two villages rely on cocoa farming for their livelihood.

                The two villages have witnessed some of the most violent hostilities since the escalation of the current Anglophone conflict.

                With the clash between the two groups in Munyenge and the daily sprouting of different groups, it becomes even more difficult to tell who the real separatist fighters are. But the common denominator is that most or all the groups are now using the current situation to make easy cash from the population through blackmail and harassments.