In a statement released, Tuesday, the U.S. Embassy in Yaoundé expressed deep “concerns” about the “recent incidents and threats in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon.” These areas have been plagued by violence since the crisis began in 2017, and recent days have seen an uptick in violent acts.

On the night of Sunday, September 1, to Monday, September 2, armed men shot and killed two people and wounded another in Mbatu, a suburb of Bamenda, according to local sources. Over the weekend, armed men suspected to be separatist fighters also killed a motorcycle taxi driver in Buea before setting his vehicle on fire.

These incidents occur just days before the scheduled start of the school year (September 9), as separatists have once again threatened to disrupt classes. “Schools are sanctuaries for learning, and children should not be prevented from attending classes,” the U.S. Embassy reminded. The diplomatic mission emphasized that the U.S. government has consistently condemned “all forms of violence against civilians” and reiterated “the need for peaceful approaches to resolving complex political and security issues.”

Source: Sbbc

At least four civilians were killed early Monday by Ambazonia Restoration Forces in the Northwest and Southwest, local and security sources said.

In Mbatu, a locality in the Northwest Region, the Amba fighters opened fire at close range, killing three people, including a woman who was onboard a motorcycle.

In Lyongo village in the Southwest Region, Amba shot dead a commercial motorcyclist and torched his motorcycle, several security sources and local media reported.

“There were thunderous gunshots. It was like serious fighting was ongoing. It was scary,” a resident in Bamenda, the chief city of the Northwest Region where Mbatu is located said.

“Amba fighters have now resorted to attacking civilians. We have deployed additional troops to the regions,” a senior military official in the Southwest Region said but opted for anonymity.

Southern Cameroons leaders said on social media platforms that they have intensified the “ghost town” operation every Monday, during which all sorts of activities in the two Anglophone regions would come to a halt.

The Monday “ghost town” has been effective since 2017 when the Ambazonia Interim Government began clashing with the Francophone dominated government forces to create an independent nation in the Anglophone regions.

By Rita Akana with files

A convoy of three vehicles carrying soldiers from the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) was ambushed by suspected Boko Haram fighters on Wednesday in Cameroon’s Far North region, local sources said. The soldiers were en route to Zamga to relieve their comrades, according to the sources.

The monitoring network Humanity Purpose, which tracks attacks in the region, reports that around ten soldiers were injured in the attack, with four in critical condition. Three soldiers are also reported missing. Images circulating on social media show three pickup trucks completely burned. A security source contacted by SBBC confirmed the attack but did not provide any casualty figures.

Other sources indicate that another ambush occurred on the Bame-Sandawaridji road, where a BIR soldier and the motorcycle driver he was with were killed.

Cameroon officially went to war against Boko Haram in 2014, aiming to stop incursions by Boko Haram fighters from Nigeria who seek to establish a transnational caliphate extending to Chad. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and massive population displacements. The Cameroonian army, deployed along the border with Nigeria, has managed to curb Boko Haram’s incursions. However, despite being significantly weakened, Boko Haram continues to carry out deadly sporadic attacks on Cameroonian soil.

Source: Sbbc

The president of the Ambazonia Interim Government Sisiku Ayuk Tabe is now the only sitting Southern Cameroons leader to celebrate his birthday in a French Cameroun jail breaking the record previously held by Albert Mukong.

President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe, who is still being held at the Kondengui Maximum Security Prison in Yaoundé, received a swell of birthday wishes from thousands of exiled Southern Cameroonians and supporters of the Ambazonia Interim Government in the diaspora across social media.

On Twitter, the Ambazonia leader reacted and said “I am deeply touched by the outpouring of warm wishes on my birthday from some dedicated Ambazonian comrades. Your thoughtful messages are not just words but a reminder of our collective resolve for our cause. I am grateful for your unwavering support. Together, we forge ahead!”

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

There is news coming out of the Unity Palace in Yaoundé and it is not good for Mr. Biya’s family, though it could be good news to most Cameroonians who hold that Mr. Biya has overstayed his welcome at the Unity Palace.

President Paul Biya, is in bad shape and his family and close associates are very concerned. A dying Biya is not good news to his collaborators who are taking advantage of the chaos which has become the country’s hallmark to line their pockets.

The 91-year-old Biya has not been enjoying life as his numerous diseases are rearing their ugly head to rob him of his happiness.

Mr. Biya was expected to leave for China over the weekend to attend the China-Africa Summit but could not make it due to health issues.

Though the procedures for his departure had been rolled out with security forces deployed in the paths he uses when traveling out of the country, Mr. Biya started feeling really bad a few hours to his trip, causing the entire protocol mechanism to scrap.

Speaking to Cameroon Concord News on Sunday, a source at the Unity Palace said Mr. Biya’s health was declining on a daily basis, adding that his current situation was a major concern to his family.

“Mr. Biya’s family is concerned about his health. Despite all the health precautions being taken, the strongman’s health is failing him and it seems to have taken a turn for the worse,” the source said.

“He was supposed to have travelled to China for the 2024 China-Africa Summit, but the trip was cancelled at the last minute when the 91-year-old Biya could not even stand. All the security and protocol arrangements that were in place in Yaoundé were cancelled, prompting many to question if the country’s president was indeed in good health,” the source added.

“We are all concerned. The country is in a very bad shape and there is no clear succession plan and Mr. Biya himself is still very excited to run again in 2025. Power is a real drug. It has gotten into Mr. Biya’s head and he sees himself as the only person who can rule the country,” the source added.

“I wish he could disabuse his mind of such falsehood. Cemeteries around the world are full of people who once thought that they were indispensable. At almost 92, Mr. Biya should have understood that he is hurting himself and the country by sticking to power,” the source pointed out.

“Many people around the head of state are taking advantage of his poor health and age to feather their nests. They know their days in power are numbered. They understand that without a clear succession plan in Cameroon, the country could be plunged into chaos once Biya dies,” the source regretted.

“Many of our ministers and directors do not have their children in Cameroon. Their families are in Canada and the United States, while they are robbing Cameroon blind. They are aware of the impending chaos and they do not want their families to be caught up in any mess they have helped to create,” our source concluded.

Our source is keeping a close eye on the situation and he has his ears to the ground.

Cameroon Concord News will continue to update you as more news comes in.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai