
Audio By Carbonatix
At least 22 people have been killed in an attack on a village in north-west Cameroon, the UN says.Over half those killed in Ntumbo were children, and local media report that several victims were burned alive.No-one has claimed responsibility for Friday's incident, but an opposition party blamed the army.Cameroon's government, which has been fighting separatists in the region for three years, has not yet commented on the attack.James Nunan, an official from the UN's humanitarian coordination agency OCHA, told the BBC that a pregnant woman was among those killed.Fourteen children, including nine under the age of five, were also among the dead, he said.Mr Nunan said the incident has "terrified" the local population."Whichever group has done this has threatened that there will be more violence ahead," he said. "The people we've spoken with are extremely traumatised and didn't expect this."In a statement, one of the country's main opposition parties - The Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon - blamed "the dictatorial regime" and the head of Cameroon's security forces for the attack.Agbor Mballa, a leading figure in the separatist movement, also suggested "state defence forces were responsible".An army official, interviewed by AFP news agency, denied the allegations.
Image copyrightANADOLU AGENCYImage captionCameroon's President Biya has been accused of human rights abuses during the conflictThe conflict has been centred in north-western Cameroon, where most of the population speaks English because of old colonial ties to Britain.Armed separatist groups began to emerge in 2017 after a security force crackdown on protests. Separatists have declared independence for a new state they call Ambazonia, but Cameroon's President Paul Biya has labelled the groups as "terrorists".More than 3,000 people have died since the outbreak of fighting and at least 70,000 people have also been displaced from their homes.Media captionFinding the soldiers who killed this womanCameroon's government has been accused of human rights abuses during the conflict, and US President Donald Trump has axed the country from a special trade program with America.The government says separatists have killed dozens of civilians and security forces, but no official figures exist for civilians and separatists killed by government forces.
Image copyrightANADOLU AGENCYImage captionCameroon's President Biya has been accused of human rights abuses during the conflictThe conflict has been centred in north-western Cameroon, where most of the population speaks English because of old colonial ties to Britain.Armed separatist groups began to emerge in 2017 after a security force crackdown on protests. Separatists have declared independence for a new state they call Ambazonia, but Cameroon's President Paul Biya has labelled the groups as "terrorists".More than 3,000 people have died since the outbreak of fighting and at least 70,000 people have also been displaced from their homes.Media captionFinding the soldiers who killed this womanCameroon's government has been accused of human rights abuses during the conflict, and US President Donald Trump has axed the country from a special trade program with America.The government says separatists have killed dozens of civilians and security forces, but no official figures exist for civilians and separatists killed by government forces.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Parliament to hold public forum on unsafe structures
2 minutes -
Gender Ministry moves to sanction errant caterers over substandard school meals
9 minutes -
Three of 16 unsafe structures in Accra demolished; Tema Kaiser Flats next – NADMO
14 minutes -
Government suspends street operation targeting foreign children over funding constraints – Minister
17 minutes -
Lack of enforcement behind delayed demolition of unsafe buildings – MP
18 minutes -
ValueJet is connecting West Africa, and Accra is at the centre of it
18 minutes -
School Feeding Programme serves 4 million pupils nationwide – Gender Minister
19 minutes -
MP, DCE and health officials urge urgent completion of hospital project in Wa East
22 minutes -
Analysis: Chinese takeover of Atlantic Lithium could force MIIF to exit at a loss
41 minutes -
GCB Bank hosts Bank of Uganda delegation to deepen regional financial market cooperation
41 minutes -
Medeama SC boss funded my new Black Stars cheer song – Grace Ashly
45 minutes -
No financial clearance for school feeding expansion this year – Gender Minister
46 minutes -
Blood Sisters star Ini Dima-Okojie welcomes baby boy with husband
46 minutes -
New Path to the Bar: How Ghana’s Legal Education Reforms finally settle a longstanding debate
1 hour -
Richmond Adu-Poku: Stonebwoy proves on ‘The Torcher II’ he is building a legacy
1 hour