The Northwest region of Cameroon is once again in mourning following an extremely violent attack. In Guidado , an armed incursion attributed to separatist groups claimed the lives of 14 people, marking a new escalation in a conflict that has lasted for nearly ten years.

The human toll: a tragedy for families

The regional governor, Adolphe Lele Lafrique , confirmed the scale of the massacre on CRTV radio. The victims are mostly women and children.

1. 14 deaths recorded: 7 children (aged 2 to 11 years), 6 women and 1 man.
2. 14 injured: Currently being treated in hospitals in Ndu and Nkambe.

Faced with this situation, President Paul Biya ordered the deployment of reinforced security measures to try to stabilize the area.

A conflict mired in violence

This massacre is not an isolated incident, but rather a reflection of escalating tensions observed over the past several months. The conflict, which began in 2016, pits the regular army against separatist groups (labeled "terrorists" by Yaoundé) fighting for the independence of the Anglophone regions.

The context of the crisis:

1. Origin: Repression of peaceful demonstrations in 2016 denouncing the marginalization of the English-speaking minority.
2. Climate of terror: Targeted kidnappings and assassinations of civil servants and teachers by separatists.
3. Repression: Accusations of punitive expeditions carried out by law enforcement against civilians suspected of complicity.

An increasingly heavy humanitarian toll

According to Human Rights Watch , the clashes have already caused the deaths of more than 6,000 civilians since the start of hostilities. The Northwest remains the epicenter of the country's deadliest violence.