Timeline of the Anglophone Crisis (2017)

Last updated May 05, 2024

This is a timeline of the Anglophone Crisis during 2017.

September

On September 9, the Ambazonia Defence Council (ADC) declared the deployment of the Ambazonia Defence Forces (ADF) and the launching of combat operations to achieve the independence of Ambazonia. The ADF carried out a guerilla attack against military base in Besongabang, Manyu Division. The ADF commander in charge claimed his soldiers managed to return to base unreduced. Three Cameroonian soldiers were killed in the attack.^[1]
On September 11, a bomb targeting security forces was detonated in the city of Bamenda.^[2] ADF claimed responsibility for the attack.^[1]
On September 21, an improvised bomb wounded three police officers in Bamenda. Separatists were blamed for the attack, which the governor described as an act of terrorism.^[3]
On September 22, Cameroonian troops opened fire against Anglophone protestors. According to eyewitnesses, five people were shot dead and many more were injured.^[4] In Ekok, 700 protesters attacked police stations and hosted the Ambazonian flag in public spaces.^[5]
On September 29, Cameroonian soldiers moved into Eyumodjock, and took over a farm belonging to separatist leader Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe.^[6]
Throughout September, seven schools were burned.^[7]

October

On October 1, Ambazonia unilaterally declared its independence, and the Cameroonian Army moved into the region in force to fight the separatists.^[8] Tens of thousands of people protested in the streets in favor of independence.^[9] At least eight people died in clashes between police and demonstrators in Buea and Bamenda. In total, 20 demonstrators were killed by security forces that day.^[10] The separatists strategically choose this date for mass demonstrations, as it is the anniversary for the unification of Cameroon and Southern Cameroons.^[11]
On October 2, a mentally disabled man was beaten to unconsciousness by soldiers in Kumbo.^[7]
On October 9, the Cameroonian military claimed to have stopped "hundreds of Nigerian fighters" from entering Southern Cameroons to join the struggle.^[12]
On October 17, hundreds of young people set fire to the Catholic Primary School in Menji, Lebialem.^[7]

November

On November 8, the ADF killed two or three Cameroonian gendarmes in Bamenda.^[13] The ADF claimed responsibility for the attacks,^[14] which were condemned by the Interim Government of Ambazonia, which had not yet endorsed an armed struggle.^[15]
On November 9, Cameroon issued international arrest warrants for 15 separatist leaders, including President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe.^[16] Two Cameroonian soldiers were killed by separatists in two attacks the following night.^[17]
On November 14, there were four bombings in Bamenda, none of which caused any casualties.^[14]
On November 19, unidentified gunmen killed a policeman in Bamenda.^[14]
On November 24, parts of the Government Bilingual High School in Menji was burned down.^[7]
On November 29, separatists attacked a military convoy in Mamfe,^[18] killing two soldiers and two policemen.^[19] One soldier escaped with wounds. The separatist fighters seized a large amount of weapons before taking off.^[20]
On November 30, separatists fighters killed five policemen and a soldier in Eyumodjock. The attackers claimed to be loyal to SCACUF, a separatist movement in exile.^[20]
Throughout November, eight soldiers, at least 14 civilians and five fugitives were confirmed killed due to the conflict.^[18] Based on the combined figures from news reports, the real number of deaths was clearly higher.

December

On December 1, ahead of a planned Cameroonian offensive, authorities in the Manyu Department ordered people from 16 villages to evacuate, saying that anyone defying those orders will be treated as separatists.^[21]
On December 4, the Cameroonian government officially declared war on "these terrorists who seek secession", referring to the ADF.^[19]
On December 7, Cameroonian forces retook the villages of Bafia and Muyenge.^[22]
On December 9, an attack on a military post near Mamfe left six separatists and one Cameroonian police officer dead. The Cameroonian government claimed that 200 guerillas took part in the attack, using guns, spears and machetes.^[23]
On December 13, 23 people, including minors, were arrested by security forces in Dadi and subsequently subjected to severe torture. One of those arrested would later die in jail.^[10]
On December 14, an elite army unit started an operation to retake villages that were controlled by the separatists.^[24] In the village of Bodam, soldiers fired indiscriminately at fleeing civilians, and executed one elderly man who tried to defend himself with a cane. Several houses were burned during the attack. Most of the villagers fled to Nigeria.^[7]
On December 15, days of heavy fighting in Mamfe came to an end. Both sides claimed victory, with the Cameroonian Army claiming to have retaken Mamfe from the ADF, while the ADF claimed it had never occupied Mamfe to begin with.^[25]
On December 18, four gendarmes were killed by separatists in Kembong.^[26]
On December 20, Nigerian sources claimed Cameroonian soldiers crossed the border into Nigeria in pursuit of separatist fighters. While the governments of both Nigeria and Cameroon denied that any such incidents had taken place, Cameroonian military officials had previously accused Nigeria of sheltering separatists.^[26]
Between December 18–23, Cameroonian troops destroyed dozens of houses and killed, beat and arrested several civilians in Kembong and Babong, Manyu Department, in retaliation for the killing of security forces.^[24]
On December 25, two gendarmes and a Brigade Commander were wounded in Toko, Ndian Division. The residence of the Civil Administrator of Toko was also burned down.^[27]
At some point in December, soldiers from the Rapid Intervention Battalion allegedly fired indiscriminately at villagers in Kajifu, killing at least three people.^[7]

Related Research Articles

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, attempted to set up a Government-in-exile and supportive militias have exerted control over some remote regions of the claimed territory. No country has recognized Ambazonia's existence as of 2024.

Ayaba Cho Lucas is an Ambazonian activist. He is the former Secretary General of the Southern Cameroons Youth League (SCYL) and is the current leader of Ambazonia Governing Council, a separatist organization in Southern Cameroons. Ayaba was expelled from the University of Buea in 1993 because he had led a one-man demonstration against tuition increases; he has been in exile from Cameroon since then. He eventually ended up in Norway, where he studied human rights and development at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, and from where he has based his activism ever since. In January 2017, Ayaba was allegedly targeted for assassination in Brussels, Belgium.

<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 in Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions between Cameroon Armed Forces 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.

Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe is an Ambazonian separatist leader from Ewelle village in Manyu division, and is the disputed first president of the unrecognized Federal Republic of Ambazonia. In January 2018 he was extradited from Nigeria to Cameroon, where he has been incarcerated ever since.

This is a timeline of the Anglophone Crisis during 2018.

This is a timeline of the Anglophone Crisis during 2019.

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.

The Interim Government of Ambazonia is an Ambazonian independence movement, and claims to be the provisional government in exile of the internationally unrecognized state. Formed in the early days of the Anglophone Crisis, the movement has since splintered into several factions that claim to be the legitimate Interim Government.

The Ambazonia Governing Council (AGovC) is an Ambazonian independence movement. The movement has been known as "hardline" compared to other major Ambazonian separatist movements, and unwilling to engage with federalists. Starting off with a complicated relationship with the larger Interim Government of Ambazonia (IG), following the 2019 Ambazonian leadership crisis, the AGovC officially allied itself to the faction of the IG loyal to the first President of Ambazonia, Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe.

<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.

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.

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.

This is a timeline of the Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon during 2024.

References

1 2 Explosions in Bamenda and Killings in Besongabang Military Base, ADF Claims Responsibility, Cameroon Journal, Sept 13, 2017. Accessed Apr 19, 2018.
↑ The crisis in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions has turned violent with bombings, Quartz, Sept 22, 2017. Accessed Apr 19, 2018.
↑ Suspected separatist bomb wounds 3 police in Cameroon's Anglophone region, Reuters, Sept 21, 2017. Accessed Apr 19, 2018.
↑ "Cameroon is on edge after security forces opened fire on Anglophone protesters". Quartz Africa. 22 September 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
↑ Cameroon Tries to Quash Independence Movement in English Regions, Voice of America, Sep 29, 2017. Accessed Dec 18, 2019.
↑ Profile: Meet The Man, Sisiku Julius Ayuktabe, The Ambazonian Revolutionary Leader, Cameroon News Agency, Jan 21, 2019. Accessed Feb 1, 2019.
1 2 3 4 5 6 Cameroon-unfolding catastrophe’ evidence of human rights violations and crimes against humanity, Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA), Jun 3, 2019.
↑ Cameroon Anglophone crisis: Major incidents over a deadly year (1), AfricaNews, Oct 1, 2018. Accessed Oct 2, 2018.
↑ "CrisisWatch October 2017". International Crisis Group. October 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
1 2 A turn for the worse: Violence and human rights violations in Anglophone Cameroon, Amnesty International, Jun 1, 2018.
↑ "Several killed in Cameroon as anglophones declare 'independent Ambazonia'". Euractiv. 2 October 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
↑ Cameroonian troops deploy heavily along Nigeria border, DW, Oct 9, 2017. Accessed Apr 20, 2018.
↑ Cameroon separatists kill at least two gendarmes as Anglophone dispute escalates, Reuters, Nov 8, 2017. Accessed Apr 20, 2018.
1 2 3 "CrisisWatch November 2017". International Crisis Group. November 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
↑ ‘Ambazonia’ Interim “President” Condemns Violence Amid Claims By ADF of Masterminding Gendarme Killing, Nov 9, 2017. Accessed Nov 11, 2019.
↑ Cameroon issues arrest warrants for Anglophone separatist party leaders, African Independent, Nov 9, 2017. Accessed Apr 21, 2018.
↑ Cameroon separatist attacks kill four security forces: government, Reuters, Nov 11, 2017. Accessed Apr 21, 2018.
1 2 "Four Cameroon soldiers killed in restive Anglophone region". Daily Nation. 29 November 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
1 2 Cameroon government ‘declares war’ on secessionist rebels, Irin, Dec 4, 2017. Accessed Apr 21, 2018.
1 2 Five Police, Five Soldiers Killed in Cameroon Violence, Voice of America, Nov 30, 2017. Accessed Nov 17, 2019.
↑ Cameroon govt forces accused of murder, rape, Eyewitness News. Accessed Aug 25, 2018.
↑ Cameroon's Military Moves In on Separatist-held Villages, Voice of America, Dec 7, 2017. Accessed Apr 21, 2018.
↑ Separatists Attack Cameroon Police, Voice of America, Dec 9, 2017. Accessed Apr 21, 2018.
1 2 Anglophone Crisis – Seven military personnel murdered in December – ICG says, Cameroon Concord, Jan 6, 2018. Accessed Aug 25, 2018.
↑ After Days of Sporadic Gun Shots In Mamfe: Relative Calm Returns, Massive Exodus, Cameroon News Agency, December 15, 2017. Accessed Nov 24, 2018.
1 2 Cameroonian troops entered Nigeria without seeking authorization, sources in Nigeria say, Reuters, Dec 20, 2017. Accessed Apr 21, 2018.
↑ Update Christmas Day Shooting In Ndian : Toko Brigade Commander, Others Hospitalized, Cameroon News Agency, Dec 26, 2017. Accessed Apr 7, 2019.

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[Sept_13-1] 1 2 Explosions in Bamenda and Killings in Besongabang Military Base, ADF Claims Responsibility, Cameroon Journal, Sept 13, 2017. Accessed Apr 19, 2018.

[2] The crisis in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions has turned violent with bombings, Quartz, Sept 22, 2017. Accessed Apr 19, 2018.

[3] Suspected separatist bomb wounds 3 police in Cameroon's Anglophone region, Reuters, Sept 21, 2017. Accessed Apr 19, 2018.

[22Sep-4] "Cameroon is on edge after security forces opened fire on Anglophone protesters". Quartz Africa. 22 September 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2018.

[5] Cameroon Tries to Quash Independence Movement in English Regions, Voice of America, Sep 29, 2017. Accessed Dec 18, 2019.

[tabeprofile-6] Profile: Meet The Man, Sisiku Julius Ayuktabe, The Ambazonian Revolutionary Leader, Cameroon News Agency, Jan 21, 2019. Accessed Feb 1, 2019.

[unfoldingcatastrophe-7] 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cameroon-unfolding catastrophe’ evidence of human rights violations and crimes against humanity, Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA), Jun 3, 2019.

[8] Cameroon Anglophone crisis: Major incidents over a deadly year (1), AfricaNews, Oct 1, 2018. Accessed Oct 2, 2018.

[crisiswatchoct2017-9] "CrisisWatch October 2017". International Crisis Group. October 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2021.

[amnestyjun12018-10] 1 2 A turn for the worse: Violence and human rights violations in Anglophone Cameroon, Amnesty International, Jun 1, 2018.

[2_Oct-11] "Several killed in Cameroon as anglophones declare 'independent Ambazonia'". Euractiv. 2 October 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2018.

[12] Cameroonian troops deploy heavily along Nigeria border, DW, Oct 9, 2017. Accessed Apr 20, 2018.

[13] Cameroon separatists kill at least two gendarmes as Anglophone dispute escalates, Reuters, Nov 8, 2017. Accessed Apr 20, 2018.

[crisiswatcnov2017-14] 1 2 3 "CrisisWatch November 2017". International Crisis Group. November 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2021.

[15] ‘Ambazonia’ Interim “President” Condemns Violence Amid Claims By ADF of Masterminding Gendarme Killing, Nov 9, 2017. Accessed Nov 11, 2019.

[16] Cameroon issues arrest warrants for Anglophone separatist party leaders, African Independent, Nov 9, 2017. Accessed Apr 21, 2018.

[17] Cameroon separatist attacks kill four security forces: government, Reuters, Nov 11, 2017. Accessed Apr 21, 2018.

[Nov_29-18] 1 2 "Four Cameroon soldiers killed in restive Anglophone region". Daily Nation. 29 November 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2018.

[Dec_4-19] 1 2 Cameroon government ‘declares war’ on secessionist rebels, Irin, Dec 4, 2017. Accessed Apr 21, 2018.

[voanov172017-20] 1 2 Five Police, Five Soldiers Killed in Cameroon Violence, Voice of America, Nov 30, 2017. Accessed Nov 17, 2019.

[21] Cameroon govt forces accused of murder, rape, Eyewitness News. Accessed Aug 25, 2018.

[22] Cameroon's Military Moves In on Separatist-held Villages, Voice of America, Dec 7, 2017. Accessed Apr 21, 2018.

[23] Separatists Attack Cameroon Police, Voice of America, Dec 9, 2017. Accessed Apr 21, 2018.

[jan62018-24] 1 2 Anglophone Crisis – Seven military personnel murdered in December – ICG says, Cameroon Concord, Jan 6, 2018. Accessed Aug 25, 2018.

[25] After Days of Sporadic Gun Shots In Mamfe: Relative Calm Returns, Massive Exodus, Cameroon News Agency, December 15, 2017. Accessed Nov 24, 2018.

[Dec_20-26] 1 2 Cameroonian troops entered Nigeria without seeking authorization, sources in Nigeria say, Reuters, Dec 20, 2017. Accessed Apr 21, 2018.

[27] Update Christmas Day Shooting In Ndian : Toko Brigade Commander, Others Hospitalized, Cameroon News Agency, Dec 26, 2017. Accessed Apr 7, 2019.

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