Bamenda’s Unyielding Struggle: A City Caught in the Crossfire

The atmosphere in Bamenda remains tense following a brazen attack on a GCE writing center, allegedly carried out by suspected Ambazonian fighters. The incident unfolded at St. Frederick's Comprehensive High School Mubang-Mankon on May 28, 2024.

Despite the harrowing ordeal, the GCE written phase persevered, with candidates steadfastly completing their examinations.

Mezam Senior Divisional Officer (SDO), Simon Emile Mooh, swiftly responded to the attempted disruption of the GCE examinations in Bamenda. According to Mooh, the attack transpired at approximately 7:45 in the morning. He characterized the assailants as armed terrorists who indiscriminately opened fire on the defense and security forces stationed at the center's perimeter.

In an official statement issued on May 28, 2024, Mooh disclosed that two individuals—a student and a security officer—sustained injuries during the crossfire. Both victims are currently receiving medical treatment at a healthcare facility in Bamenda. Mooh, as the senior administrative authority, implored the educational community and the general public to remain calm, assuring them of the proactive presence of defense and security forces on the ground to safeguard the examination process.

This incident exacerbates the longstanding conflict that has plagued the English-speaking regions of Cameroon since 2016. The escalating tensions have pitted independent military factions against government security forces, resulting in numerous allegations of human rights abuses by international organizations such as NGOs and the UN.

While the separatists often target government personnel, teachers have largely been spared from direct attacks. Conversely, security forces have been accused of conducting punitive operations against individuals suspected of sympathizing with the separatist cause.

The root of the conflict can be traced back to President Paul Biya's crackdown on peaceful demonstrations by English-speaking citizens in marginalized regions, which precipitated widespread discontent and violence.

According to reports from Human Rights Watch (HRW), the conflict has claimed the lives of at least 6,000 civilians over the past seven years, with both government forces and separatist fighters implicated in the violence. Unfortunately, a definitive resolution to the crisis remains elusive, leaving the situation in Bamenda and the wider region in a state of volatility and uncertainty.