The ongoing Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon has escalated into a humanitarian catastrophe, marked by violence and systemic persecution. Initially sparked by protests from Anglophone lawyers and teachers against the government’s imposition of French-language officials in their regions, the situation has evolved into a struggle for independence, with separatists declaring the territory of Southern Cameroons as “Ambazonia.”
As the government responded to peaceful protests with military force, the crackdown intensified, leading to widespread human rights abuses. Government forces have been implicated in extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and torture, targeting civilians under the guise of combating separatism. Reports indicate that entire villages have been burned, and many Anglophones live in constant fear of being labeled “enemies of the state” for their political beliefs or activism.
A poignant example of this climate of fear is the case of Etigha Vera Ezigha, a law graduate and a resident of Bamenda. In October 2022, military personnel stormed her home, accusing her and her husband of collaborating with separatist fighters and supplying arms – allegations that were vehemently denied. During the interrogation, one officer threatened her with death if she continued to dispute the baseless claims. The couple, who identified as peaceful citizens concerned about the marginalization of Anglophones, faced severe physical abuse and were detained under horrific conditions.
Ezigha’s ordeal is not an isolated incident. The situation has grown more perilous, with reports of civilians being killed on dubious charges. In a recent incident in Mile 14, Bamenda, a man was shot dead by security forces, accused of being a spy for Anglophone activists abroad. The victim, Ngwa Fube was a peace loving person whom his family says would not hurt a fly. Such incidents contribute to a climate of fear and repression, where individuals are targeted for expressing dissent or even for perceived affiliations with separatist movements.
Ngong Hycenth Ndong, a healthcare assistant and psychotherapist, has faced severe persecution amid the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon. Accused of secessionist activities and providing medical aid to those labeled as secessionists, he confronts baseless charges of terrorism and attempts to destabilize the nation. This reflects a disturbing trend of targeting healthcare professionals for their humanitarian work.
On September 2, 2023, Ndong was arrested at Kumba District Hospital, suspected of treating wounded combatants. He was released on September 5 but required hospitalization due to health challenges following his arrest and manhandling. Despite his release, threats against him persisted, culminating in a new arrest warrant issued by the State Counsel of the Meme Division shortly thereafter.
Prior to his recent ordeal, Ndong was kidnapped by separatist fighters who accused him and the hospital of treating government soldiers. This accusation is a serious offense in the eyes of the Ambazonia movement, which views any support for the government forces as a betrayal. This precarious situation highlights the dangerous double-edged sword that healthcare workers in the region must navigate: on one hand, they risk the wrath of separatists for providing care to government troops; on the other, they face persecution from the government for treating those labeled as secessionists. The constant threat from both sides creates an environment of fear and uncertainty for medical personnel striving to fulfill their humanitarian duties.
The situation escalated weeks later when a search warrant was launched against him by the police in the South West Region. As critics have pointed out, this pattern of aggression against medical personnel undermines vital humanitarian efforts and places lives at risk.
Ndong’s plight is further compounded by the fates of others blacklisted as supporters of the separatist Ambazonia fighters who returned home from abroad, many of whom were arrested or have disappeared without a trace. This raises serious concerns for individuals like Ndong, whose family fears for his safety if he is forced to return from Europe, where he has fled.
According to human rights lawyer Joseph Fru, “the evidence of Ndong’s persecution underscores the urgent need for protection. His experience exemplifies the broader injustices in the region. We condemn his persecution and are concerned about the life-threatening risks he would face upon returning to Cameroon.”
Meanwhile, as the humanitarian landscape deteriorates, millions in the Anglophone regions are in urgent need of aid, according to Human Rights Watch and other international rights groups accuse the government of continuing to silence voices of dissent. The international community has been vocal in its recognition of the gravity of the situation. The Norwegian refugee council has advocated for the protection of human rights in Cameroon, where it says, the quest for justice and equality remains fraught with danger.
For individuals like Etigha Vera Ezigha and Ngong Hycenth Ndong, as well as human rights lawyers, civil society activists who have fled into exile fearing for their safety, there is urgent need for international attention to their plight.