I Spent A Week Embedded With Anglophone Armed Separatists

File

Ex-farmers, armed with basic weapons and little training, are taking on the might of the Cameroonian army in the country’s Anglophone regions, according to an exclusive series of reports published by the IRIN news agency.

Journalist Emmanuel Freudenthal spent a week embedded with rebels from the Ambazonia Defence Forces who have been fighting against security forces sent by Yaoundé to quell unrest.

His two-part series documents alleged abuses by the security forces and the stark choice some Anglophones felt they were left with – either flee across the border to Nigeria and become a refugee, or take up arms and fight the Cameroonian military.

The crisis in Anglophone Cameroon has escalated since the end of last year when the separatists declared independence for so-called Ambazonia. Grievances among Anglophones over the lack of English in courts and classrooms originally took the form of protests and demonstrations.

However, the situation has escalated with a crackdown by security forces and the arrest of several Anglophone leaders.

There have been a number of clashes between the Cameroonian army and armed separatists as well as attacks on schools and villages, kidnappings and targeted killings.

RFI spoke to Emmanuel Freudenthal…

What I’ve seen when I was there was perhaps 50 men in one camp and most of those used to be farmers who have been driven to attack the Cameroonian army in order to defend themselves. And to reclaim independence for the country they call Ambazonia.

How many people would you say are in the Ambazonia Defence Forces?

Cho Ayaba, who is the leader of the Governing Council that is linked to the Ambazonia Defence Forces, says there are about 1,500 people spread around 20 camps in Anglophone Cameroon. I’ve personally witnessed around 50 people in one camp and in total probably 100 fighters – adding up everyone I saw. Obviously, I haven’t been to the 20 camps. So 1,500 does sound quite possible, but it’s hard to establish exactly how many.

They say 20 bases or camps. Did you get any idea of their geographical reach?

I think they’re operating throughout the Anglophone regions. I stayed in one specific area in the south west, so I haven’t visited the 20 camps, I think that would probably take a very long time. But in that specific area they actually controlled a surprisingly large amount of land. That’s partly to do with the fact that the state hasn’t developed roads or means of access to many of the areas which means that the army can’t go there either. Ironically that’s also part of why many of these fighters are fighting and part of why many of the Anglophones are quite annoyed with the Cameroonian state. This lack of infrastructure, lack of roads – which is now biting back against the state when they would like to access a lot more of these areas.

How sophisticated is their weaponry? Are we talking about automatic weapons?

No. The weapons I’ve seen were mostly hunting rifles that are made in Nigeria. People for years have been hunting with them in the bush. Basically, to fire them you have to first unscrew it at the bottom of the rifle, then open the rifle, push a cartridge in, then close the rifle, then screw it back so that locks it in place. So it takes – even just to explain it, as you can see – it takes quite a while. They’re facing an army that has automatic assault rifles which might fire 600 bullets every minute. So you can see that it’s not quite the same weaponry. I’ve seen a few assault rifles within the ADF forces. And I’ve seen photos of a few more, but the majority of the troops don’t have them, they have these very basic hunting rifles.

Did you get a feeling for how frequently they’re clashing or fighting with the Cameroonian security forces?

That’s quite difficult to assess. I’ve seen some videos where they are clashing and they have carried out targeted killings. Amnesty International just published a report that says that the separatists have killed 44 members of the security forces. Not all of those would be part of the Ambazonia Defence Forces, but that’s the number they are giving. While I was there they were planning an attack, but that attack didn’t work out because of logistical issues. They were waiting for some ammunition, which never came.

Did you get a sense of how well-trained these fighters are?

Many of these fighters are people who were pushed out of their villages because those villages were attacked by the army. Many of those, a few months ago, before October, used to be just farmers. So that’s also why they have these hunting rifles, just because they used to hunt with them. They had to leave their village and become fighters or become refugees – that’s basically the two options they had. So they’re not well-trained fighters at all. And they’re facing an army that has been trained by France, the US and other countries because of the fight against Boko Haram.

The ADF isn’t the only armed separatist group in these Anglophone regions. Does the ADF have links with other armed separatist groups do you think?

I think they do have links with them. Exactly the nature and the extent of those links – it’s quite difficult to say. Sometimes the ADF will take a local armed group under its wing and that armed group becomes federated under the ADF. There are also other groups acting on their own, there are some people that might claim that they’re part of the wider movement that don’t necessarily have connections to the ADF. Another thing that I found that was quite interesting and that surprised or intrigued me was that the hierarchical structure of the ADF is actually pretty well established. So the troops on the ground are listening to orders coming from above. The main limitation to that, apart from the fact that it’s not a professional army, is that those orders are difficult to deliver because there’s no [telephone] network in much of the area.

You say there are orders coming down in some sort of command structure – what about accusations that the ADF were responsible for attacks on schools and also for a number of kidnappings? Did you hear anything about that?

So in the recent Amnesty report they say that separatist groups have targeted around 40 schools and some of them were burnt. I asked the ADF whether they were responsible for that and they said they had nothing to do with it. And that anybody who was upset with the schools could go and burn them. In terms of the kidnapping – the ADF has claimed a number of kidnappings. They would not actually call them kidnappings, they would call them arrests. There’s basically two ways to see their actions. One way to see their actions is a unilateral action by an armed group that violates human rights. They see it that they’re trying to establish an independent state and that the ADF is their police and army. So when they’re putting in place laws or rules, that armed group is tasked with enforcing those. When one is talking about kidnapping, they will see it as an arrest.

Just tell us a little bit more about their endgame – because in your story the fighters talk about defending communities against alleged abuses by Cameroonian soldiers. What do they want? What’s their endgame?

Their endgame is very clear. Its separation of the country they call Ambazonia from Cameroon. That’s very clearly what they’re fighting for.

 

 

RFI

171 thoughts on “I Spent A Week Embedded With Anglophone Armed Separatists

  1. Greetings! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My website looks weird when viewing from my iphone. I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to correct this problem. If you have any suggestions, please share. With thanks!

  2. You’re so awesome! I don’t think I’ve read something like this before. So nice to find somebody with a few original thoughts on this topic. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This website is something that’s needed on the web, someone with a little originality!

  3. We stumbled over here different website and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to checking out your web page again.

  4. This is the right website for anybody who would like to find out about this topic. You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally would want toHaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic that’s been written about for a long time. Excellent stuff, just excellent!

  5. This design is steller! You obviously know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!

  6. I feel this is one of the so much important information for me. And i’m satisfied reading your article. However wanna statement on few basic things, The website taste is ideal, the articles is actually excellent : D. Good process, cheers

  7. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

  8. Do you have a spam issue on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; many of us have created some nice procedures and we are looking to trade strategies with other folks, why not shoot me an e-mail if interested.

  9. Hello there, simply turned into aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. Lots of other people might be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  10. An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who had been doing a little research on this. And he in fact bought me lunch because I discovered it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to discuss this topic here on your web site.

  11. First off I want to say wonderful blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing. I have had trouble clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out. I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or tips? Cheers!

  12. Thank you for some other magnificent article. Where else may just anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect approach of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am at the look for such information.

  13. Appreciating the persistence you put into your website and in depth information you present. It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed material. Wonderful read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  14. Thanks for your article. What I want to say is that while looking for a good on the web electronics go shopping, look for a internet site with comprehensive information on critical indicators such as the level of privacy statement, safety details, payment options, as well as other terms plus policies. Often take time to look into the help in addition to FAQ areas to get a much better idea of the way the shop will work, what they can perform for you, and exactly how you can make the most of the features.

  15. Hey I am so thrilled I found your webpage, I really found you by mistake, while I was searching on Askjeeve for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a marvelous post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have saved it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the awesome job.

  16. Its like you learn my mind! You appear to grasp so much about this, like you wrote the e-book in it or something. I feel that you simply can do with some p.c. to drive the message home a little bit, however other than that, this is wonderful blog. A great read. I will certainly be back.

  17. Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the web the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

  18. Good website! I really love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS feed which must do the trick! Have a nice day!

  19. I’d like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own website now 😉

  20. Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Chrome, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, wonderful blog!

  21. One other thing is that an online business administration diploma is designed for individuals to be able to smoothly proceed to bachelors degree courses. The Ninety credit college degree meets the lower bachelor education requirements so when you earn the associate of arts in BA online, you’ll have access to up to date technologies in this field. Some reasons why students have to get their associate degree in business is because they can be interested in the field and want to have the general knowledge necessary ahead of jumping in a bachelor diploma program. Many thanks for the tips you provide as part of your blog.

  22. Nice blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog shine. Please let me know where you got your theme. Appreciate it

  23. It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this excellent blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group. Chat soon!

  24. Good day I am so happy I found your website, I really found you by error, while I was researching on Bing for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say many thanks for a marvelous post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the moment but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the fantastic work.

  25. Thanks for the tips you write about through this blog. In addition, lots of young women exactly who become pregnant will not even try and get medical health insurance because they are concerned they won’t qualify. Although a lot of states right now require that insurers supply coverage in spite of the pre-existing conditions. Fees on these kind of guaranteed options are usually larger, but when thinking about the high cost of medical care it may be a new safer way to go to protect the financial potential.

  26. Appreciating the persistence you put into your website and in depth information you present. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed material. Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  27. My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find a lot of your post’s to be exactly what I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to write content for yourself? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write about here. Again, awesome web site!

  28. Your storytelling prowess is nothing short of extraordinary. Reading this article felt like embarking on an adventure of its own. The vivid descriptions and engaging narrative transported me, and I eagerly await to see where your next story takes us. Thank you for sharing your experiences in such a captivating manner.

  29. One thing I would like to say is the fact before acquiring more pc memory, look into the machine in which it will be installed. In the event the machine is running Windows XP, for instance, a memory threshold is 3.25GB. Setting up above this would just constitute just a waste. Be sure that one’s motherboard can handle the particular upgrade quantity, as well. Great blog post.

  30. Your blog is a true gem in the vast expanse of the online world. Your consistent delivery of high-quality content is truly commendable. Thank you for consistently going above and beyond in providing valuable insights. Keep up the fantastic work!

  31. I believe that avoiding refined foods would be the first step in order to lose weight. They could taste fine, but refined foods include very little nutritional value, making you try to eat more simply to have enough strength to get over the day. If you are constantly consuming these foods, transferring to grain and other complex carbohydrates will help you have more vitality while ingesting less. Thanks alot : ) for your blog post.

  32. I wish to express my deep gratitude for this enlightening article. Your distinct perspective and meticulously researched content bring fresh depth to the subject matter. It’s evident that you’ve invested a significant amount of thought into this, and your ability to convey complex ideas in such a clear and understandable manner is truly praiseworthy. Thank you for generously sharing your knowledge and making the learning process so enjoyable.

  33. Your enthusiasm for the subject matter shines through every word of this article; it’s contagious! Your commitment to delivering valuable insights is greatly valued, and I eagerly anticipate more of your captivating content. Keep up the exceptional work!

  34. This article is a real game-changer! Your practical tips and well-thought-out suggestions are incredibly valuable. I can’t wait to put them into action. Thank you for not only sharing your expertise but also making it accessible and easy to implement.

  35. It is indeed my belief that mesothelioma is most fatal cancer. It has unusual properties. The more I really look at it a lot more I am confident it does not respond like a real solid tissue cancer. In the event that mesothelioma is a rogue virus-like infection, therefore there is the possibility of developing a vaccine as well as offering vaccination for asbestos open people who are really at high risk connected with developing potential asbestos linked malignancies. Thanks for giving your ideas about this important health issue.

  36. I am continually impressed by your ability to delve into subjects with grace and clarity. Your articles are both informative and enjoyable to read, a rare combination. Your blog is a valuable resource, and I am sincerely grateful for it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *