Cameroon: Barrister Felix Nkongho Condemns Egbekaw Killing, Likens it to Crime Against Humanity

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

BUEA, November 14, 2023 – Human Rights activist and founder of the Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, CHRDA, Barrister Felix Nkongho Agbor says the attack in the Egbekaw new layout in Mamfe, South West Region of Cameroon, was “despicable, and an example of crime against humanity.”

On Monday, November 6, gunmen are said to have attacked Mamfe, setting houses on fire and killing men, women and children as they slept, according to the Divisional officer Viang Mekala. “The situation is under control, and the population should not panic,” he said while adding that security forces were combing the area.

The attack continues to receive widespread condemnation, from both local and international officials and organizations. “It was an example of crime against humanity, where civilians were attacked, about 25 killed, 12 seriously wounded and 11 houses burnt,” Felix Nkongho Agbor, told DW News.

“This is gross egregious and it shocks my conscience and it shocks the conscience of humanity that these number of persons who are not actively involved in the struggle could just be the victims of some people who are supposed to be their protectors. It has been a sad day for us in the country, especially for those in the region.”

The attack According came at a time when celebrations marking the 41^st anniversary of President Paul Biya as Cameroon’s head of state were scheduled to take place on Monday, November 6 in Mamfe, and across the national territory.

English-speaking separatists have been fighting government forces for the past years to carve out an independent state called Ambazonia. The clashes for the past seven years have killed tens of thousands and displaced hundreds more. Some figures put those killed at more than 6,000. Government forces have been criticized by Human Rights Watch for responding to separatist attacks with a heavy hand, often targeting civilians across the North West and South West Regions. Separatist fights have also been condemned for killing, torture, assault, and kidnappings of civilians – the very people they seek to liberate.

“… There are other anglophones who want self-determination, some are clamouring for a Federation. Some of them feel that a Federation will take care of the interests of both the francophones and anglophones; it will respect the cultural and linguistic differences. That is why some think of a two-state federation and others believe in a ten-state and others believe in four-state," Barrister Felix Nkongho Agbor added.

"I think it is just a breakdown of communication, and the need for the central government to win the hearts and minds of the anglophones because anglophones have suffered subjugation for a long time in this country. They are considered as second-class citizens.”

“So, there is the need for us also to go back to the drawing board, to have a constitutional arrangement wherein both anglophones and francophones would be equal in everything in the country. And if there is a possibility of power-sharing, rotational presidency with the francophones and anglophones, it could go a long way to help the situation,” Barrister Felix Nkongho Agbor said.

Earlier this year, international human rights organization, Amnesty International slammed both the government forces and the separatist forces for killings, rape, torture, and burning of houses among other atrocities in the North West and South West Regions.