Tigers of Ambazonia

Last updated
Tigers of Ambazonia
Leaders
  • Nchia Martin Achuo [1] (also spelled "Ashu") [2]
  • Chia Martin ("Tiger 1") [3]
Dates of operation2017 [4] – present
Active regions Manyu and Meme
Ideology
Sizec. 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 Tigers of Ambazonia (TTA), [5] also known as Manyu Tigers [6] or Tigers of Manyu, [7] 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. [5] [2] [8] The Tigers mainly operate in Manyu [2] and Meme. [8]

Contents

History

The Tigers were organized in Manyu in the fall of 2017, with between 10 and 30 initial fighters. [4] It was one of many localized armed groups set up during the early civil war, [9] [10] attacking military checkpoints. [10] According to the pro-separatist Bareta News, the Tigers emerged in response to the murder of Ekabe Nyongo, a traditional chief in Manyu who had voiced support for the separatist movement. A naked and armed mob of Tigers subsequently stormed Nyongo's funeral, captured a Cameroonian soldier present and forced him to denounce the government, after which the rebels declared another separatist the new local chief. On 14 January 2018, the Cameroonian security forces counter-attacked in an attempt to destroy the Tigers, but the operation provoked further local support for the rebels. [11]

In September 2018, the Tigers claimed responsibility for the Wum prison break. [12] At this point, the militia was part of the Ambazonia Self-Defence Council, [8] and claimed to have around 2,000 fighters under its command, though this number could not be verified and was likely an exaggeration. [1] The Tigers also cooperated with the larger Ambazonia Defence Forces and SOCADEF. [13]

Presence of Ambazonian militant groups, including the Tigers in gray, by 2023. Ambazonia conflict.png
Presence of Ambazonian militant groups, including the Tigers in gray, by 2023.

By 2019, the International Crisis Group estimated that the Tigers included about 500 militants. [2] By 2020, Cameroon Intelligence Report claimed that the Tigers had become infamous among Cameroonian soldiers and controlled the rural areas around Mamfe. The group reportedly maintained many cells in Manyu, and patrolled the area to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. [14]

On 6 November 2023, separatist fighters massacred at least 20 civilians in Egbekaw, near Mamfe. [15] [16] Cameroon News Agency attributed the massacre to the Tigers, describing it as a revenge attack due to the locals hiring Nigerian mercenaries who had killed one member of the separatist militia. [17]

Beliefs

The Tigers adhere to militant Ambazonian separatism. In addition, they are inspired to some degree by traditional African religions; the group's name is based on the belief that "some of the Tigers are the ghosts of dead ancestors who have risen from the grave to defend their people". [18] Belief in supernatural protection and influence, called odeshi, is common among Ambazonian militant groups. [19]

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 have engaged in armed conflict with the Cameroonian military, in what is known as the Anglophone Crisis, and have attempted to set up governments-in-exile, and supportive militias have exerted control over parts of the claimed territory. No country has recognized Ambazonia's existence as of 2024.

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

The Anglophone Crisis, also known as the Ambazonia War, is an ongoing armed conflict in the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon, between the Cameroonian government and Ambazonian separatist 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.

The Ambazonia Defence Forces (ADF) are a military organization that fights for the independence of Ambazonia, a self-declared independent state in the Anglophone regions of the former Southern Cameroons, Cameroon. It was formally established by the Ambazonia Governing Council (AGovC) on 9 September 2017, the same day as the organization declared a war of independence.

This is a timeline of the Anglophone Crisis during 2017.

This is a timeline of the Anglophone Crisis during 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Cameroons Defence Forces</span>

The Southern Cameroons Defence Forces is the armed wing of the African People's Liberation Movement, an Ambazonian separatist movement. It is led by Ebenezer Akwanga, who is based in the United States, Together with the Ambazonia Defence Forces, it was one of the most prominent militias fighting in the early Anglophone Crisis. It is mainly active in Meme and Fako.

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.

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.

<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.

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.

Ngong Emmanuel, better known by his pseudonym Capo Daniel, is an Ambazonian separatist and political activist who served as member of the Ambazonia Governing Council (AGovC) and deputy commander of the Ambazonia Defence Forces (ADF) until 2023. Following his resignation from the AGovC and ADF, fighters loyal to him formed the Ambazonia Dark Forces. In 2024, he called for an end to the armed struggle. Daniel has generally operated from exile in Hong Kong.

<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.

On 6 November 2023, the Tigers of Ambazonia carried out a massacre in Egbekaw, Mamfe, Southwest Region, Cameroon. Over thirty people were killed, mostly Boki residents.

References

  1. 1 2 Cameroon separatists free 100 prison inmates before election, Reuters, Sep 27, 2018. Accessed Mar 13, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Cameroon’s Anglophone Crisis: How to Get to Talks?, Crisis Group, May 2, 2019. Accessed May 2, 2019.
  3. ↑ ""They Are Destroying Our Future" Armed Separatist Attacks on Students, Teachers, and Schools in Cameroon's Anglophone Regions". HRW. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  4. 1 2 Cameroon’s Anglophone Crisis: Dialogue Remains the Only Viable Solution, ReliefWeb, Dec 21, 2017. Accessed Mar 13, 2019.
  5. 1 2 Cameroon's Anglophone crisis: Red Dragons and Tigers - the rebels fighting for independence, BBC, Oct 4, 2018. Accessed Oct 4, 2018.
  6. ↑ International Institute for Strategic Studies 2019, p. 536.
  7. ↑ "Why Political Power Distribution Escalated Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon?". Susa Africa. 17 September 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 HRW 2018, pp. 20–21.
  9. ↑ DeLancey, DeLancey & Mbuh 2019, p. 48.
  10. 1 2 Edward McAllister (8 February 2018). "Exclusive - "We are in a war": Cameroon unrest confronted by army offensive". Reuters. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  11. ↑ Mark Bareta (17 January 2018). "Revolutionary Forces of Ambazonia Enter Meme County, as Resistant Kwa Kwa Village Comes into Spotlight". Bareta News. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  12. ↑ Cameroon separatists free 100 prison inmates before election, Reuters, Sep 28, 2018. Accessed Oct 11, 2020.
  13. ↑ Instability threatens Cameroon presidential elections, Africa News, Sep 19, 2018. Accessed Mar 13, 2019.
  14. ↑ "NOSO: après l'assassinat du maire de Mamfé, voici les prochains sur liste des sécessionnistes". camerounweb.com. Cameroon Intelligence Report. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  15. ↑ "Local Official: Gunmen Kill at Least 20 in Pre-Dawn Attack in Cameroon". Voice of America. 2023-11-06. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  16. ↑ "Separatist gunmen kill at least 20 in Cameroon". Al Jazeera. 2023-11-06. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  17. ↑ "Manyu: More than 30 die in Amba attack". Cameroon News Agency. 2023-11-06. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  18. ↑ Farouk Chothia (4 October 2018). "Cameroon's Anglophone crisis: Red Dragons and Tigers - the rebels fighting for independence". BBC. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  19. ↑ "Federal Republic of Ambazonia: Red Dragons and Tigers – the rebels fighting for independence". Cameroon Intelligence Report. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2023.

Works cited

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