Southern Cameroons Defence Forces

Last updated
Southern Cameroons Defence Forces
Leaders Ebenezer Akwanga [1] [2]
Dates of operation2017 – present
Active regions Meme and Fako
Ideology Ambazonian separatism
Sizec. 400–500 (2019) [2]
Part ofFlag of the Federal Republic of Southern Cameroons.svg  Ambazonia
OpponentsFlag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon
Battles and wars Anglophone Crisis

The Southern Cameroons Defence Forces (commonly referred to as SOCADEF) is the armed wing of the African People's Liberation Movement, an Ambazonian separatist movement. It is led by Ebenezer Akwanga, [3] who is based in the United States, [4] Together with the Ambazonia Defence Forces, it was one of the most prominent militias fighting in the early Anglophone Crisis. [1] It is mainly active in Meme [5] and Fako. [6]

Contents

History

By 2019, SOCADEF claimed that it had 3,500 troops, though the International Crisis Group argued that the militia had at most 500 active armed members. [2] The militia made some headlines in March 2020 when it declared a two-week ceasefire to give people time to get tested for coronavirus. [7]

After suffering major losses in inter-rebel clashes with the Fako Mountain Lions in June 2021, [6] [8] SOCADEF was rumored to have disbanded. In reality, the militia went underground for several months while acquiring better weapons and a new leadership. [8] In October 2021, SOCADEF launched "Operation No Rest For You", targeting Cameroonian troops at Ikiliwindi and reportedly killing nine. [9] In July 2022, rebels under "General Transporter" carried out another attack against security forces at Ikiliwindi; at the time, General Transporter was reportedly loyal to SOCADEF. [10]

Organization

Though Ebenezer Akwanga has served as SOCADEF's head since its foundation, he was living in exile; thus, the group had a series of ground forces commanders who led the troops in the warzone. By 2018, the militia's chief frontline officer was "General Molua C", [5] later replaced by "General" Andrew Ngoe. [11] On January 24, 2019, General Andrew Ngoe was killed in Matoh, Mbonge, leaving Nsom Hilary (alias "General Opobo") in charge. [11] [6] After General Opobo's death at the hands of rival separatists in June 2021, "General Jason" became SOCADEF's new commander. [8]

SOCADEF has not joined the Ambazonia Self-Defence Council, an umbrella organization created by the Interim Government. However, its political wing, the African People's Liberation Movement (APLM), took part in forming the Southern Cameroons Liberation Council in March 2019, effectively uniting with the Interim Government under an umbrella organization. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ambazonia</span> Political entity proclaimed by Cameroons Anglophone separatists

Ambazonia, alternatively the "Federal Republic of Ambazonia" or "State of Ambazonia", is a political entity proclaimed by Anglophone separatists who are seeking independence from Cameroon. The separatists claim that Ambazonia should consist of the Northwest Region and Southwest Region of Cameroon. Since 2017, Ambazonian rebels are in an armed conflict with the Cameroonian military, in what is known as the Anglophone Crisis, setting up a government-in-exile and capturing some territory. No country has recognized Ambazonia's existence as of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anglophone Crisis</span> 2017–present separatist conflict in Cameroon

The Anglophone Crisis, also known as the Ambazonia War or the Cameroonian Civil War, is an ongoing armed conflict between Cameroon Armed Forces and Ambazonian separatist rebel groups, part of the long-standing Anglophone problem. Following the suppression of 2016–17 protests by Cameroonian authorities, separatists in the Anglophone regions launched a guerrilla campaign and later proclaimed independence. Within two months, the government of Cameroon declared war on the separatists and sent its army into the Anglophone regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International reactions to the Anglophone Crisis</span>

From 2018, the Anglophone Crisis drew increasing international attention, and became a challenge to Cameroon's foreign relations. Triggered by a violent crackdown on the 2016–2017 Cameroonian protests, the conflict escalated from a low-scale insurgency to a civil war-like situation. While Cameroon enjoys support from African countries, no country has openly supported the Ambazonian independence movements. However, many countries have put pressure on Cameroon to talk to the separatists. In addition, the separatists enjoy support from officers in the Nigerian Army, who have helped arrange arms deals for them.

Red Dragon is an Ambazonian separatist militia loyal to the Interim Government of Ambazonia, and is part of the Ambazonia Self-Defence Council. It was led by Lekeaka Oliver, and controlled most of Lebialem Division in the Southwest Region, driving away the traditional rulers and local administrators. The group was greatly weakened in 2022, with Oliver being killed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tigers of Ambazonia</span>

The Tigers of Ambazonia (TTA), also known as Manyu Tigers or Tigers of Manyu, are an Ambazonian separatist militia. According to its official website, the Tigers recognize the authority of the Interim Government of Ambazonia. The militia is part of the Ambazonia Self-Defence Council. The Tigers mainly operate in Manyu and Meme.

The Ambazonia Self-Defence Council (ASC), also known as Ambazonia Military Council (AMC), Ambazonia Military Forces (AMF), and Ambazonia Restoration Forces (ARF), is an umbrella organization that consists of several militants that fight for the independence of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia, including the Red Dragons, the Tigers of Ambazonia, Seven Karta, the Manyu Ghost Warriors, the Ambazonia Restoration Army, the Southern Cameroons Defence Forces, the Bui Warriors, General No Pity's forces, and numerous others. Collectively, these militias possibly outsize the Ambazonia Defence Forces and SOCADEF.

Seven Karta is an Ambazonian separatist militia that is part of the Ambazonia Self-Defence Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ebenezer Akwanga</span> Ambazonian activist

Dr. Ebenezer Derek Mbongo Akwanga is an Ambazonian independence activist. He is the chairman of the African People's Liberation Movement, an Ambazonian separatist movement, and heads its armed wing, SOCADEF. A former student at the University of Buea, he and fellow activist Ayaba Cho Lucas founded a pro-independence student association. Their movement was soon outlawed, and in 1997, Akwanga was imprisoned for six years. Following his escape from prison, he joined forces with the Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC). When the SCNC split into several factions, he became the leader of the Southern Cameroons Youth League (SCYL). The SCYL eventually transformed into the African People's Liberation Movement (APLM). In March 2019, he oversaw the APLM taking part in founding the Southern Cameroons Liberation Council, in an attempt to form a united front. Akwanga is also an advocate of the Biafran case, and has spoken in favor of an alliance between Ambazonian and Biafran independence movements. He has called for referendums on independence in both the former Southern Cameroons and Biafra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lekeaka Oliver</span> Ambazonian separatist commander (1968–2022)

Lekeaka Oliver, popularly known as Field Marshall, was a Cameroonian army soldier and later an Ambazonian separatist commander and the leader of the Red Dragon militia. His armed group is part of the loosely-structured Ambazonia Self-Defence Council, and is loyal to the Interim Government of Ambazonia. The Red Dragon is mainly active in Lebialem Division, Southwest Region. Oliver was the brother of Chris Anu, former Secretary for Communications of the Interim Government. Throughout his time as a separatist leader, Cameroonian forces erroneously reported that he had been killed three times. He was killed on 12 July 2022, though it remains unclear whether he was killed by Cameroonian forces or in an incident of separatist infighting.

This is a timeline of the Anglophone Crisis during 2020.

The Southern Cameroons Restoration Forces, also known as Southern Cameroons Defence Forces, is an Ambazonian separatist militia. Mainly active in the Boyo Division in Northwest Region, it commanded an estimated 100 fighters as of 2019. The group is led by Nso Foncha Nkem.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Bamenda Clean</span> Part of the Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon

Operation Bamenda Clean is an ongoing Cameroonian special counter-insurgency operation in Bamenda, Northwest Region, aimed at preventing armed Ambazonian separatists from operating in the city. By January 2021, Cameroon was gradually achieving what a security analyst at the University of Yaoundé called "relative peace" in Bamenda, and the mayor of the city stated that the operation was succeeding. However, as of March 2021, separatist-imposed ghost towns remained widely respected by the local population, and separatists controlled most roads leading in and out of Bamenda.

This is a timeline of the Anglophone Crisis during 2021.

This is a timeline of the Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon during 2022.

Clement Mbashie, better known by his nom de guerre "General No Pity", is an Ambazonian separatist who commands several militant groups, most importantly the Bambalang Marine Forces and Bui Unity Warriors, in the Anglophone Crisis.

This is a timeline of the Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon during 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Bui Clean</span>

Operation Bui Clean, also called Operation Kumbo Clean or Operation Clean Kumbo, was a military offensive conducted by the Cameroon Armed Forces against Ambazonian separatists in Cameroon's Northwest Region from May to June 2021. The operation took place in the context of the Anglophone Crisis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Transporter</span> Ambazonian rebel leader (died 2023)

Ayuk Ndifon Defcam, better known by his pseudonym "General Transporter" or "General Transporter of Meme", was an Ambazonian rebel leader. Mainly active in Meme department of Cameroon, he reportedly led one of the larger separatist militias in the region until his death in battle.

References

  1. 1 2 Who are Cameroon's English-speaking separatists?, Daily Nation, Feb 20, 2018. Accessed Apr 22, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Cameroon’s Anglophone Crisis: How to Get to Talks?, Crisis Group, May 2, 2019. Accessed May 2, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Au Cameroun anglophone, de nombreuses divisions fragmentent les séparatistes". L'Express . 19 February 2018. Retrieved 2019-06-04.
  4. ↑ Cameroon: Tumi’s AGC begins consulting with Ambazonia separatists, Journal du Cameroun, Feb 4, 2019. Accessed Mar 10, 2019.
  5. 1 2 HRW 2018, pp. 20–21.
  6. 1 2 3 Mark Bareta (30 June 2021). "Breaking News – "general Opopo" of SOCADEF killed by Sako's Mountain Lion". Bareta News. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  7. ↑ Cameroon rebels declare coronavirus ceasefire, BBC, Mar 26, 2020. Accessed Mar 27, 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 SOCADEF of Matoh introduces new General and recruits armed with sophisticated weapons, Mimi Mefo Infos, Sep 19, 2021. Accessed Sep 21, 2021.
  9. ↑ "SOCADEF claims responsibility for Ikiliwindi Attack on Military". Mimi Mefo Infos. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  10. ↑ David Atangana (26 July 2022). "Soldiers kill four, injure civilians in Ikiliwindi". Mimi Mefo Info. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  11. 1 2 Cameroon: 'Ambazonia General' killed in Matoh, Journal du Cameroun, Jan 24, 2019. Accessed Jan 24, 2019.
  12. ↑ Federalists Meet Restorationists, Which Group Will Perform The Osmosis?, Cameroon News Agency, Mar 29, 2019. Accessed Apr 10, 2019.

Works cited

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