List of Ambazonian commanders in the Anglophone Crisis explained

This is a list of Ambazonian rebel commanders who served in armed groups during the Anglophone Crisis. As the political association of these commanders is often unknown, they are listed by their known active departments and other territories. For the known rebel militias involved in the conflict, see list of Ambazonian militant groups.

Overview

Ambazonian commanders often take symbolic names which reference animals or specific personal traits; these are used to evoke fear and respect. Researcher Morgan Tebei Nwati has argued that many separatist leaders can be categorized as warlords, a view shared by researcher Michaela Pelican. Pelican argued that the rebel commanders effectively operated within a "market of violence", leading small private armies which not only fought an insurgency against state representatives, but also engaged in criminal activities such as kidnapping for ransom. Thus, they were using violence as an "economic basis for survival".

From 2017 to 2023, over 100 Ambazonian commanders were killed in the insurgency.[1] For comparison, a single meeting of the Ambazonia Self-Defence Council (also known as " Ambazonia Restoration Forces"), one of several rebel factions in the conflict, was attended by over fifty "Field Mar[shals], Generals, Colonel[s] and Captains".[2]

Exile

Several Ambazonian separatist leaders are based in exile. Despite this, they play a role in directing rebel forces that are fighting in Cameroon itself.[3] These include:

In Cameroon

Across several departments

Bafut

Bui

Boyo

Donga-Mantung

Fako

Koupé-Manengouba

Manyu

Mbonge

Meme

Mezam

Momo

Ndian

Ngo-Ketunjia

Lebialem

Cameroon–Nigeria border and Bakassi

At the Cameroon–Nigeria border and on the Bakassi peninsula, the Anglophone Crisis overlaps with two other local insurgencies, namely the Bakassi conflict and the insurgency in Southeastern Nigeria. Thus, the local rebels include not just Ambazonian separatists, but also Biafran separatists.[112]

Unknown territory

Footnotes

References

Works cited

Notes and References

  1. Web site: After over 100 dreaded Amba 'Generals' killed: Shouldn't these last two standing surrender? . 8 June 2023 . Maxcel Fokwen . The Guardian Post Cameroon . 15 June 2023 .
  2. Web site: Ground Zero To Dictate Pace Of Revolution After Decisive Meeting . Mbah Godlove . Bareta News . 3 August 2022 . 17 June 2023 .
  3. Web site: Cameroon's Separatist Movement Is Going International. 13 May 2019. Gareth Browne. Foreign Policy. 26 March 2020.
  4. Web site: Cameroon: Lucas Ayaba Cho, public enemy number one . Yves Plumey Bobo . The Africa Report . 8 June 2023 . 14 June 2023 .
  5. Web site: NOSO/ Contestation: Lucas Ayaba Cho dos au mur, des nouvelles révélations sortent . Africa Press . 6 June 2023 . 14 June 2023 .
  6. Web site: Frontline separatist commander, Capo Daniel, resigns from AGOVC . Cameroon News Agency . 9 April 2023 . 9 April 2023 .
  7. Web site: 2023-05-11 . Cameroon: 'Ambazonians' threaten journalists . 2023-04-26 . Deutche Welle. en.
  8. Web site: Cameroon Deploys Troops to Fight Separatists . Moki Edwin Kindzeka . VOA . 17 June 2021 . 25 May 2023 .
  9. Web site: Crise anglophone: prélats et chefs traditionnels indexés . Actu Cameroun . 17 June 2021 . 25 May 2023 .
  10. https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/central-africa/cameroon/272-crise-anglophone-au-cameroun-comment-arriver-aux-pourparlers Cameroon's Anglophone Crisis: How to Get to Talks?
  11. Web site: SOCADEF of Matoh introduces new General and recruits armed with sophisticated weapons . Mimi Mefo Infos . 19 September 2021 . 17 June 2023 .
  12. Web site: Cameroon/USA: Is the FBI Investigating On Ambazonia Activists, Tapang Ivo And Chris Anu ? . Actu Cameroun . 18 May 2018 . 17 June 2023 .
  13. Web site: Cameroon – Anglophone Crisis: Tapang Ivo Stings 'Field Marshal' For "Raping The People's Culture", Imposing Himself 'King Of Lebialem' . Atia T. Azohnwi . Cameroon Info . 8 October 2019 . 19 July 2022 .
  14. Web site: Cameroon: Ambazonia General No Pity killed in restive North West region . Journal du Cameroun . 24 March 2020 . 19 April 2022.
  15. Web site: Anglophone Crisis: Self styled General Insobu, Amba Lord of Kikaikom dies . Mimi Mefo Takambou . Mimi Mefo Info . 8 April 2022 . 8 April 2022 .
  16. Web site: Southern Cameroons Crisis: "General No Pity" vows to continue fight against French Cameroun . Fon Lawrence . Cameroon Intelligence Report . 13 October 2021 . 19 April 2022 .
  17. Web site: As infighting over succession of late 'No Pity' rages . 31 May 2023 . Mua Patrick . The Guardian Post Cameroon . 17 June 2023 .
  18. Web site: Self-Acclaimed Separatist General Killed In Cameroon's Northwest Region . 26 October 2021 . Bisong Etahoben . HumAngle . 15 June 2023 .
  19. Web site: Military Kills Dreaded Amba 'General', two fighters in Bui . Mimi Mefo . 21 January 2022 . 15 June 2023 .
  20. Web site: Cameroon Army Kills Anglophone Separatist Self-Proclaimed 'General' . 10 February 2021 . Bisong Etahoben . HumAngle . 15 June 2023 .
  21. https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroontwo-suspected-ambazonia-separatists-killed-in-restive-south-west-region/ Cameroon:Two suspected Ambazonia separatists killed in restive South West Region
  22. Web site: "General Satan" Anglophone Separatist Killed In Cameroon . 9 September 2022. HumAngle . 9 September 2022 .
  23. Web site: Cameroon's army kills separatist commander in restive Anglophone region - China.org.cn . 5 November 2022 . 2022-11-11 . www.china.org.cn.
  24. Web site: Self-Acclaimed Separatist General Killed In Cameroon's Northwest Region . 26 October 2021 . Bisong Etahoben . HumAngle . 15 June 2023 .
  25. Web site: LES SÉCESSIONNISTES ANGLOPHONES DONNENT LES RAISONS DE L'ATTENTAT CONTRE L'AVION DE CAMAIR-CO . 3 December 2019 . Coups Francs . 17 June 2023 .
  26. Web site: Un « général » ambazonien présente ses excuses aux populations du Nord-ouest et du Sud-ouest . Le Bled Parle . 7 March 2021 . 19 June 2023 . 9 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211009162756/https://www.lebledparle.com/fr/societe/1119190-un-general-ambazonien-presente-ses-excusent-aux-populations-du-nord-ouest-et-du-sud-ouest .
  27. Web site: Cameroon's Separatists Say Splinter Groups Kill, Abduct Fighters . Moki Edwin Kindzeka . VOA . 26 September 2022 . 14 June 2023 .
  28. Web site: ADF confirms death of 11 combatants, says Cameroon military offensive at headquarters came in wake of major operation . Cameroon News Agency . 2 August 2022 . 19 June 2023 .
  29. Web site: Cameroon Unity Day Marred by Violence in Separatist Regions . Moki Edwin Kindzeka . VOA . 20 May 2021 . 14 June 2023 .
  30. Web site: Gov't forces capture ADF supreme commander . 2024-01-21 . Cameroon News Agency . en.
  31. Web site: Manyu: Military kill notorious Ambazonia 'General' in Upper Bayang . Mimi Mefo Info . 30 January 2023 . 24 June 2023 .
  32. Web site: Separatists Mend Fractured Relations With Oku Citizens After Recent Altercations . Mimi Mefo Info . 9 April 2022 . 14 September 2023 .
  33. Web site: le 'Général Bush Rambo' massacre des militaires à Oku . camerounweb.com/ . 2 April 2020 . 14 September 2023 .
  34. Web site: Amba Fighters Storm Ediki- Mbalangi, Mercilessly Torture population for Siding with Military . David Atangana . Mimi Mefo Info . 18 May 2022 . 15 June 2023 .
  35. Web site: 2023-09-20 . South West region: Gov't forces kill FM Bitter Kola, others n . 2023-09-20 . Cameroon News Agency. en.
  36. Web site: 2023-09-19 . 5 separatist fighters killed in Cameroon's restive Anglophone region . 2023-09-19 . Xinhua . en.
  37. Web site: Ndian: Selfstyled general mad dog killed in military operation . 2024-04-24 . Cameroon News Agency . en.
  38. Web site: Self-styled 'general mad dog' goes mad after arrest of girlfriend . 21 February 2024 . 2024-04-28 . Cameroon News Agency . en.
  39. Web site: Separatists impose 'no farming Mondays' in Meme, Ndian . 31 March 2024 . 1 May 2024 . Cameroon News Agency . en.
  40. Web site: Cameroon Army Accused Of Killing Separatist Fighters . 18 July 2022 . Bisong Etahoben . HumAngle . 15 June 2023 .
  41. Web site: Cameroon Military Says It Has Freed 4, Including 2 Students . Moki Edwin Kindzeka . . 7 February 2021 . 21 May 2021 .
  42. Web site: Gov’t forces kill two Amba fighters in Bafut . Cameroon News Agency . 7 August 2023 . 7 August 2023 .
  43. https://web.archive.org/web/20230108173911/https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroonambazonia-general-11-others-neutralised-in-military-operation-in-restive-nw-region/ Cameroon:'Ambazonia General', 11 others neutralised in military operation in restive NW Region
  44. Web site: Bui: Self-styled general at large, colleagues want him punished for molesting civilians . Cameroon News Agency . 7 July 2022 . 7 July 2022 .
  45. Web site: Kumbo: Amba fighters abduct, torture priest for allegedly partaking in the disappearance of 'General' Fire . Mimi Mefo Info . 26 September 2022 . 24 June 2023 .
  46. Web site: Bui division: Infighting among Amba factions leaves 'General', two others dead, over 20 wounded . Mimi Mefo Info . 29 March 2022 . 24 June 2023 .
  47. Web site: Bui: Gang Fights Among Ambazonia Camps Kill General Wolf . arreyb.com . 19 April 2022 . 24 June 2023 .
  48. Web site: Kumbo: Amba, authorities go 'tooth for tooth' . Cameroon News Agency . 17 October 2023 . 17 October 2023 .
  49. Web site: 2023-09-24 . Cameroon kills General RK commander of Ambazonia separatist group . 2023-09-24 . PM News Nigeria. en.
  50. News: 2023-06-08 . Two separatist commanders surrender to Cameroonian army . News Ghana .
  51. Web site: Notorious Amba 'General, Five Others Killed In Ndu. 27 April 2022. Mimi Mefo Info. 27 April 2022 .
  52. Web site: Crise anglophone au Cameroun : voici la liste complète des généraux neutralisés . camerounweb.com/ . 28 April 2023 . 21 July 2023 .
  53. https://www.crisisgroup.org/crisiswatch/july-alerts-and-june-trends-2020#cameroon "CrisisWatch June 2020", International Crisis Group, Jun 2020. Accessed Jul 29, 2020.
  54. https://www.crisisgroup.org/crisiswatch/november-alerts-and-october-trends-2020#cameroon "CrisisWatch October 2020"
  55. Web site: Mount Cameroon Race of Hope: Separatist Camp Dismantled in South West Region . Journal du Cameroun . 6 March 2023 . 15 June 2023 . 8 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230308083749/https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/mount-cameroon-race-of-hope-separatist-camp-dismantled-in-south-west-region/ .
  56. https://www.mimimefo.com/socadef-of-matoh-introduces-new-general-and-recruits-armed-with-sophisticated-weapons/?fbclid=IwAR1mrX_4uiRYEQ7EF_571qkys45koTnC3MO61yaNZ0R8SDb0Oxu6yHp7Uds SOCADEF of Matoh introduces new General and recruits armed with sophisticated weapons
  57. Web site: Breaking News – "general Opopo" of SOCADEF killed by Sako’s Mountain Lion . Mark Bareta . Bareta News . 30 June 2021 . 8 November 2023 .
  58. Web site: Buea: Taxi Drivers linked to kidnapping allegiance arrested . 2024-05-19 . Cameroon News Agency. en.
  59. https://www.voanews.com/africa/cameroon-receives-first-returning-asylum-seekers-ex-separatists-nigeria Cameroon Receives First Returning Asylum-Seekers, Ex-Separatists from Nigeria
  60. Web site: Cameroon Releases MSF Health Workers Held After Helping Rebel Leader . Voice of America . 28 December 2021 . 28 December 2021 .
  61. https://mimimefoinfos.com/cameroon-military-kills-ambazonia-general-christopher-elejuma/ Cameroon Military kills Ambazonia ‘General’ Christopher Elejuma
  62. Web site: Upper Bayang Villages Plead for Military Assistance Amidst Ambazonia Fighters’ Deadly Rampage . Mimi Mefo Info . 16 February 2024 . 22 February 2024.
  63. Web site: Anglophone Separatists Ambush, Kill Many Cameroon Soldiers . 9 September 2022. HumAngle . 9 September 2022 .
  64. Web site: Cameroon: 'Ambazonia General' killed by peers in SW Region . Journal du Cameroun . 16 October 2021 . 15 June 2023 . 8 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230108173908/https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroonambazonia-general-killed-by-peers-in-sw-region/ .
  65. https://newsghana.com.gh/separatist-commander-surrenders-to-cameroonian-authorities/ Separatist commander surrenders to Cameroonian authorities
  66. https://www.crisisgroup.org/crisiswatch/april-alerts-and-march-trends-2021#cameroon "CrisisWatch March 2021"
  67. https://actucameroun.com/2021/03/20/crise-anglophone-un-general-ambazonien-tue-dans-un-raid-du-bir/ Crise anglophone : un « général ambazonien » tué dans un raid du BIR
  68. https://web.archive.org/web/20181221184005/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-12/21/c_137690321.htm Cameroon says armed separatist commander among 4 killed in troubled Anglophone zone
  69. Web site: Amba fighters killed in Meme division . Cameroon News Agency . 8 June 2022. 9 June 2022 .
  70. Web site: Cameroon Says Separatists Relaunch Attacks, IED Use After Death of Self Proclaimed General . Moki Edwin Kindzeka . Voice of America . 3 February 2023 . 17 June 2023 .
  71. Web site: Cameroon military kills prominent Ambazonia commander in Kumba-Mamfe road raid . 1 February 2023 . Kingsley Betek . Cameroon Intelligence Report . 15 June 2023 .
  72. Web site: Soldiers kill four, injure civilians in Ikiliwindi . David Atangana . Mimi Mefo Info . 26 July 2022 . 15 June 2023 .
  73. Web site: CrisisWatch February 2023 . January 2023. International Crisis Group . 17 June 2023.
  74. Web site: Three separatist fighters killed in Cameroon’s restive Anglophone region . 2023-12-16 . News Ghana.
  75. Web site: Whereabouts of 28, including women and children, unknown after abduction. 2024-05-14 . Mimi Mefo Info . en.
  76. Web site: Meme: Self-styled militant leader “General Black Bat” neutralized by security forces . 2024-06-14 . Cameroon News Agency . en.
  77. http://cameroonnewsagency.com/only-ambazonia-general-was-killed-in-small-babanki-the-rest-were-civilians-witnesses/ Only Ambazonia General Was Killed In Small Babanki, The Rest Were Civilians-Witnesses
  78. Web site: Two Ambazonia forces killed in Bambui, 15 killed and hideouts ransacked in Batibo-Security sources . 2 August 2022. Cameroon News Agency. 2 August 2022 .
  79. Web site: Cameroon Army Kills Ten Separatist Fighters . 2 August 2022 . Bisong Etahoben . HumAngle . 15 June 2023 .
  80. https://www.lebledparle.com/fr/societe/1118568-cameroun-l-armee-neutralise-deux-hommes-armes-lors-d-un-raid-a-bamenda Cameroun : L'Armée neutralise deux hommes armés lors d'un raid à Bamenda
  81. https://en.trend.az/world/other/3211672.html 20 separatists killed in military offensive in Cameroon's troubled Anglophone region
  82. Web site: 13 Separatists, 1 'General' Surrender In Northwest Cameroon . 8 October 2021 . Bisong Etahoben . HumAngle . 15 June 2023 .
  83. Web site: Cameroon: Late Amba 'General Mad Dog' killed over 100 in NW region – Military . Journal du Cameroun . 7 September 2020 . 15 June 2023 . 8 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230108173904/https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroon-late-amba-general-mad-dog-killed-over-100-in-nw-region-military/ .
  84. Web site: Cameroon – Anglophone Crisis: Soldiers guard burial of Fonteh Lucas Ndefru alias 'General' Mad Dog in Bamenda . 21 October 2020 . Cameroon Info . 15 June 2023 .
  85. Web site: CrisisWatch April 2021. April 2021. International Crisis Group. May 4, 2021.
  86. Web site: Cameroon: 'Ambazonia General' killed as soldiers recover weapons in Awing, Pinyin raids . Journal du Cameroun . 20 July 2020 . 15 June 2023 . 8 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230108173904/https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroon-ambazonia-general-killed-as-soldiers-recover-weapons-in-awing-pinyin-raid/ .
  87. Web site: 2023-04-26 . Cameroon's Civil War Continues to Rage On . 2023-04-26 . Inkstick . en.
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  89. Web site: ADF Commander Stone Killed and Burnt by Government Forces . 2024-07-10 . Mimi Mefo Info . en-GB .
  90. Web site: Amba general, other killed in Bamenda . Cameroon News Agency . en . 1 July 2024 . 10 August 2024 .
  91. Web site: Separatist Leader “Commander Iron”, One other Killed in Bamenda . 2024-07-10 . Mimi Mefo Info . en-GB.
  92. Web site: Crise anglophone: l'armée neutralise le " General King Commando " de Momo . Actu Cameroun . 24 November 2021 . 24 November 2021 .
  93. Web site: Cameroon: 'Ambazonia General' killed in Widikum . Journal du Cameroun . 4 January 2019 . 15 June 2023 . 5 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190105200922/https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroon-ambazonia-general-killed-in-widikum/ .
  94. Web site: Amba 'General', One Other Killed, Tied to Sign Post in Mbengwi . Mimi Mefo Info . 8 July 2022 . 24 June 2023 .
  95. Web site: Cameroun - Crise Anglophone - Nord-Ouest: Deux groupes sécessionnistes s'affrontent . Peter Kum . Cameroon Info . 16 December 2018 . 21 July 2023 .
  96. Web site: Fierce Ambazonia commander in Guzang, Batibo known as Commander Tiger has been "assassinated" by General Ivo . solowayne.com . 4 October 2021 . 21 July 2023 .
  97. Web site: 2023-05-17 . Two separatist commanders surrender to Cameroonian authorities . 2023-05-17 . Xinhua . en.
  98. Web site: Separatist leader killed in Southwest Cameroon . Joël Honoré Kouam . Africa News . 16 July 2021 . 21 May 2021 .
  99. Web site: Southern Cameroons Crisis: 6 Divisional Delegates in Amba protective custody . Rita Akana . Cameroon Intelligence Report . 17 June 2021 . 19 April 2022 .
  100. Web site: South west region must rise up- Senator Mbella Moki . Cameroon News Agency . 9 August 2023 . 9 August 2023 .
  101. Web site: Three amba fighters killed in Bamali . Cameroon News Agency . 12 June 2022 . 13 June 2022 .
  102. Web site: Cameroon: Separatist Commander kills two civilians in Bamali . Mimi Mefo Info . 6 July 2022 . 15 June 2023 .
  103. Web site: Separatist ‘General,’ two others killed in Ndop . 2024-05-05 . Cameroon News Agency . en-US.
  104. Web site: Separatists Seize Gendarmerie Truck in Ndop . 2024-05-10 . Mimi Mefo Info . en.
  105. Web site: Bomb Ambazonia Separatists Declare Indefinite Lockdown in Bangolan . 2024-08-11 . Mimi Mefo Info . en-GB.
  106. Web site: Cameroon Separatist Fighter Names Himself 'King' of Southwest District . Voice of America . 21 October 2019 . 15 June 2023 .
  107. Web site: War in Anglophone regions: Chris Anu officially announces death of brother, Oliver Lekeaka . 18 July 2022. Cameroon News Agency . 18 July 2022 .
  108. Web site: Cameroon: 11 new civilians freed from Amba captivity in restive SW . Journal du Cameroun . 19 October 2020 . 15 June 2023 . 8 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230108173905/https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroon-11-new-civilians-freed-from-amba-captivity-in-restive-sw/ .
  109. Web site: Cameroon – Anglophone Crisis: Ambazonia General, Ayekeh wreaks havoc in Lebialem . 24 September 2019 . Atia T. AZOHNWI . Cameroon Info . 15 June 2023 .
  110. Web site: Ambazonia 'Major General' Ayeke killed, leaves fighters stranded . 13 October 2020 . Atia T. Azohwi . Mimi Mefo Info . 15 June 2023 .
  111. https://mimimefoinfos.com/ambazonia-explosive-injures-soldiers-others-feared-dead/ Ambazonia explosive injures soldiers, others feared dead
  112. Web site: Biafra group reacts as Nigerian forces arrest separatist commander, Gen. Black Mamba, others . 25 June 2021 . Daily Post Nigeria . 15 June 2023 .
  113. Web site: 2022-11-11 . Suspected Ambazonia Fighter Arrested In Taraba . 2022-11-14 . ABN TV . en.
  114. Web site: Cameroon: Ambazonia General drop weapons in restive North West region . Journal du Cameroun . 16 October 2021 . 15 June 2023 . 17 October 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191017002017/https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroon-ambazonia-general-drop-weapons-in-restive-north-west-region/ .
  115. Web site: Why the spoils of war may outweigh incentives for peace in Cameroon . R. Maxwell Bone . The New Humanitarian . 19 July 2022 . 24 June 2023 .
  116. Web site: "They Are Destroying Our Future" Armed Separatist Attacks on Students, Teachers, and Schools in Cameroon’s Anglophone Regions . HRW . 16 December 2021 . 8 November 2023 .
  117. Book: 'These Killings Can Be Stopped' – Government and Separatist Groups Abuses in Cameroon’s Anglophone Regions . Human Rights Watch . 2018 . 978-1-6231-36352 . 20–21.
  118. Web site: Cameroon Military Says It Has Freed 4, Including 2 Students . Moki Edwin Kindzeka . . 7 February 2021 . 21 May 2021 .