Thirty women kidnapped on May 20 by rebels in northwestern Cameroon, plagued by a deadly conflict between separatists of the English-speaking minority and police, have been released, announced Saturday, May 27, a government official to AFP. Some separatist armed groups frequently abduct civilians, mainly for ransom, in this region.
They were released by their captors on the evening of May 23, after three days of kidnapping, said Denis Omgba, director of the Media Observatory of the Ministry of Communication. The latter did not wish to provide further information on the circumstances of their release or their condition, stating only that one of them suffered from a "fracture".
A mayor of a local in the region, on condition of anonymity, also confirmed to AFP the release of these hostages.
"Taxes" on the population and kidnappings
These "elderly" women had been kidnapped on May 20 "by armed terrorists" in the village of Kedjom Keku, in the North-West region, after participating the day before in a demonstration during which they protested against taxes demanded each month by separatist rebels, had then assured the local prefecture.
On the day of the demonstration, May 19, in Kedjom Keku, about 150 women, "elderly" according to the prefecture, had "publicly demonstrated" against "the exploitation activities of the Amba Fighters", and in particular the obligation imposed by the rebels on civilians to pay monthly 10,000 CFA francs (15 euros) for men and 5,000 for women (7.50 euros). "Taxes" that the rebels claim to collect to finance their "war effort for independence".
About fifty women had first been captured, "sequestered" and "severely beaten" but released in the evening, according to Denis Omgba. It was the next morning that the rebels kidnapped "about thirty" of them.
See also: Cameroon: At least 30 women abducted in western Cameroon
Human Rights Violations
Since late 2016, the two English-speaking regions have been the scene of a deadly conflict between the army and various groups of armed separatist rebels demanding the independence of the North-West and South-West regions, populated mainly by the English-speaking minority of this predominantly French-speaking Central African country.
These groups, which call themselves the "Amba Boys" or "Amba Fighters", named after the "Ambazonia" they wish to give to a future independent state, are regularly accused by international NGOs and the UN of crimes against civilians.
Some armed rebel groups regularly carry out kidnappings for ransom of civilians, sometimes in large groups, such as the abduction of these women, particularly in schools they accuse of teaching French. They also commit targeted assassinations against representatives of the authorities, but also against civilians whom they accuse of "collaborating with the army".
Their abuses have been denounced by international NGOs and the UN, which also regularly accuse the army of committing human rights violations against civilians: fatal blunders, summary executions, acts of torture and even raids and killings in villages.
The conflict erupted in late 2016 after the violent repression of peaceful demonstrations by members of Anglophone civil society, some of whom feel ostracized by the French-speaking majority of this country ruled with an iron fist for more than 40 years by President Paul Biya.
The latter is intractable, even with regard to the most moderate who demand a federalist solution to this conflict, and his regime has been massively deploying the elite of the army and the police for more than six years to suppress the rebellion.
The conflict has killed more than 6,000 people and displaced more than a million, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank.
With AFP
The summary of the week France 24 invites you to look back on the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news with you everywhere! Download the France 24 app