BBC NEWS on Cameroon 9/6/2020

Mamfe, Cameroon—At least 13 mutilated bodies have been found in Akwaya, a local community in the restive English-speaking part of Cameroon where tensions have flared since 2017. Villagers identified the dead victims as Anglophones, pointing accusing fingers at Tabe Tando, a local traditional ruler and business politician.

“We saw a group of Cameroon soldiers armed with machetes early Tuesday. They asked us if we support Ambazonia or not. Those who said they were Ambazonians were immediately slaughtered and butchered with machetes,” villagers told the BBC on grounds of anonymity.

“Even a young child was chopped with machetes.” The victims are between the ages of 13 and 70,” a mother narrated.

They spoke Pidgin with a French accent, a villager said, describing the massacre as “barbaric.” “Chief Tabe Tando had promised that he will kill us with his bare hands if we continue to support a separation from Cameroon,” he adds while holding back tears.

The BBC reached out to Tabe Tando but he declined to speak. Hundreds of villagers have started fleeing Akwaya for their safety. Some told BBC reporters on phone that their houses have been burned and properties looted.

The conflict started in 2016 with Anglophone lawyers and teachers leading a strike against Cameroon government policies. In 2017, separatists leaders assumed leadership of the conflict and began defending their civilians with guns.

More than 13,000 Anglophones have been killed by Cameroon soldiers. At least 300,000 are now living as refugees in neighboring Nigeria. The Cameroon government has denied to enter into any meaningful discussions to end the conflict. [09/06 22:17] ������
[09/06 22:19]  Wonders and wonders. I am speechless. Tears running down my eyes.���������������������������