Alabukam, Mankon – For over a year, the city of Bamenda has endured an unrelenting wave of destruction at the hands of individuals linked to the Ambazonia Defense Forces (ADF). Numerous vehicles have been burned or destroyed, and the local population has suffered severe financial and material losses. These acts carried out under the pretext of “liberation taxes,” have left a trail of fear, economic hardship, and disruption in their wake.
Residents of Bamenda recount harrowing encounters with ADF fighters who use threats and violence to extort money from vulnerable groups, including small-scale farmers and shop owners. Commercial taxi drivers have been coerced, often at gunpoint, to repaint their vehicles from the standard yellow to blue and white.
These activities have paralyzed many businesses and forced families to relocate, leaving the city’s economy in tatters and its streets shrouded in fear. Many citizens feel helpless in the face of this growing insecurity, which escalated dramatically in the week leading up to November 23, 2024.
The Military’s Strategic Counter
Reports indicate that Cameroon’s security forces received critical intelligence from local residents, leading to a decisive ambush in Alabukam, a neighborhood long suspected of harboring ADF kidnappers. According to sources, the military devised a plan to lure the kidnappers by pretending to be victims willing to pay their demanded taxes.
The ADF fighters, known for collecting phone numbers from shop owners and using them to demand “liberation taxes,” unwittingly fell into the trap. Shop owners reportedly passed these numbers to security forces, enabling the ambush to be carefully coordinated.
On Saturday, November 23, the military confronted and neutralized several fighters in Alabukam. The operation continued into Sunday, November 24, when additional ADF members attempted to retrieve the corpses of their fallen comrades. This second encounter resulted in further casualties, bringing the death toll to five.
This latest confrontation underscores the bitter and devastating nature of the ongoing conflict in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon, now in its eighth year. While groups like the ADF claim to champion the liberation of Southern Cameroons (Ambazonia), their actions often contradict their stated mission, leaving many to question their true motives.
Residents in Bamenda remain trapped in a cycle of fear and violence, torn between the oppressive tactics of separatist groups and the heavy-handed response of government forces. The scars of this conflict deepen daily, with no clear resolution in sight.
Despite these hardships, Bamenda’s residents continue to resist being silenced, contributing to efforts to bring peace and security back to their communities. However, achieving lasting peace will require addressing the underlying causes of the conflict and ensuring justice for those caught in its crossfire.
