Cameroon: Situation Report, 12 April 2023

HIGHLIGHTS

• North-West and South-West situation report (1 to 28 February 2023)

• Eight attacks on education reported, in the North-West and South-West regions.

• Two attacks on healthcare reported in the North-West.

• Around 113 children identified with severe acute malnutrition could not receive treatment yet due to lack of supply of ready to use therapeutic food.

• Humanitarian activities temporarily suspended in Momo division, North-West region.

Situation Overview / Humanitarian access

In February, several non-State armed groups (NSAGs) called for two days lockdown on 10 and 11 February to boycott the national youth day celebrations in the North-West and South-West (NWSW) regions. They also announced the shutdown of schools from 7 to 11 February. To reinforce this call, on 7 and 8 February, NSAGs invaded and forcibly shutdown two schools that had opened in Atuakom (Bamenda II subdivision, Mezam division, NW) and Nkamlikum (Kumba I subdivision, Meme division, SW). During this period, about eight attacks on education were reported, seven in the NW and one in the SW. This resulted in the closure of several schools. On 15 February, a NSAG killed a primary school teacher in his house, in Njap village in Nkambe subdivision, (Donga Mantung division). He was accused of taking part in youth day commemorative activities. On 10 February, a NSAG attacked a vehicle transporting workers of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) who were returning to Tiko from the Mondoni Banana plantation. Five workers were killed, while 45 others were injured and hospitalized at the Tiko cottage hospital where they received treatment. One of the injured reportedly died later from his injuries.

On 13 and 19 February, NSAGs announced another two-day lockdown on 24 and 25 February in the Fako division in the SW to disrupt the Mount Cameroon race, an international athletic competition organized by the Government. On 25 February, the day of the race, several improvised explosive devices (IEDs) detonated along the racetrack leaving over 19 persons injured including three children and two women spectators. About 20 IED incidents were reported in February in the NWSW, with most of them registered in the NW.

The population continues to be targeted directly and indirectly by parties to the crisis. Several cases of kidnapping and carjacking for ransom were reported as well as arbitrary arrests in the NWSW. On 4 February, the Bamenda - Ndop axis was blocked by NSAG, following the establishment of a military camp around Bamessing. Reports from partners indicated an increase in arbitrary arrest, kidnapping for ransoms, and extrajudicial killings in both regions.

The lockdown days, roadblocks, use of IEDs, kidnapping of civilians, including some humanitarian personnel and diversion of humanitarian aid and material, are limiting humanitarian access, and hindering the delivery of humanitarian assistance. On 4 February, staff of an international humanitarian organisation were kidnapped by NSAGs and later released after extorsion of some personal items. On 28 February, unidentified gunmen subdued the driver of a local NGO in Bamenda, NW, in front of their premises and went away with the NGO vehicle. On 19 February, a NSAG recommended in a public communiqué that all humanitarian actors suspend their activities except in cases of emergency, in Momo division, North-West region, until further notice. This recommendation was communicated by the NSAG as a proactive measure to reduce civilian casualties due to potential clashes with State security forces (SSF). OCHA and partners have engaged with NSAGs and other stakeholders to advocate to ensure safe and unhindered access to all persons in need in the NWSW.