Cameroon: CHRDA’s Midterm Human Rights Report Shows Uptick in Violence

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

BUEA, October 3, 2023 – The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, CHRDA, in its midterm report of human rights violations across the country has revealed that some 116 persons were killed during the first half of 2023, in confrontations between government forces and separatists fighters, involved in the armed conflict ravaging the North West and South West regions.

The killings, together with other horrific human rights violations and abuses, documented by the non-governmental rights group, follow the release of its midterm report on the human rights situation in conflict-affected regions of Cameroon.

“…The midterm report shows an up rise in violence and shows things are not getting any better," Felix Nkongho said. This year witnessed massive surrendering, especially by the ex-separatist fighters in the Anglophone Regions as per the data from government sources,” said Barrister Felix Nkongho Agbor, Founder and President of CHRDA.

Data from CHRDA shows an increase in conflict between the armed Fulani militias, the civilian population and armed separatists in the restive North West and South West Regions. Figures from CHRDA show that there were a total of 116 killings, 214 arbitrary arrests, 5 rape cases, 100 attacks and injuries incidents, 189 cases of torture by defence and security forces, 98 kidnap cases, 32 cases of inhumane and degrading treatment and one case of enforced disappearance. Most of the individuals killed during this period were males, with 77 persons and just six females.

Barrister Felix Nkongho Agbor added: “This report is meant to be used for advocacy by CSOs and the diplomatic organizations to raise awareness on what is happening in the English-speaking regions… The midterm report shows an upshoot in violence; it clearly shows that things are not getting any better and I am sure that when you read the end-of-year report from what has been happening. It shows that it is getting worse.”

Some of the major incidents reported include the killing of five unarmed civilians in Ekona by state defence and security forces, the killing of six CDC workers in Tiko and nine persons in Small Mankon Bamenda by unidentified armed men, the killing of five unarmed forces persons in the Bamenda II Subdivision and another incident in Babanki by state forces.

The defence and security forces as reported by CHRDA killed 41 persons in the North West Region while 29 were killed in the South West Region during the first quarter of 2023, while separatist fighters killed 22 in the North West region and 24 in the South West region within the same period in 2023.

Despite the positives from the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration, DDR Centres, CHRDA noted with regret some irregularities, which did not meet the purpose of the centres. CHRDA noted that as of June 9, 2023, a total of 3,520 separatist fighters and Boko Haram combatants have answered present to President Paul Biya's peace call, by dropping their weapons in the conflict-affected North West, South West and Far North.

"It is a call for both the government forces and the armed groups to put the people first. Ensure that the civilian population is protected and they should try and find a way that the civilians will not be a victim. The civilians should be protected and hopefully, we can have a solution that will address the fundamental issues that we faced before the conflict, which could end up being a win-win solution for everybody,” Barrister Felix Nkongho Agbor added.