Operation Bamenda Clean Explained
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.[13] By January 2021, Cameroon was gradually achieving what a security analyst at the University of Yaoundé called "relative peace" in Bamenda,[14] and the mayor of the city stated that the operation was succeeding.[6] However, as of March 2021, separatist-imposed ghost towns remained widely respected by the local population,[15] and separatists controlled most roads leading in and out of Bamenda.[16]
Background
Throughout the Anglophone Crisis, armed separatists had used motorcycles to carry out hit-and-run attacks against soldiers and police officers,[17] and the Cameroonian security forces wished to deprive them of bases of operation in the city and its vicinity.[18] On September 4, the Mayor of Bamenda outlawed motorcycles in the city, to which separatists responded by threatening to bring all traffic to a halt.[19] Three days prior to the official launch of the operations, soldiers from the Rapid Intervention Battalion had killed a prominent Ambazonian general in Bamenda named Luca Fonteh, known as the nom de guerre "General Mad Dog".[20]
The rebels in Bamenda include female fighters.
The operation
Aims and rationale
The operation was officially announced on the same day as it commenced on September 8, 2020 a day before the three-year anniversary of the start of the war[21] and 23 days before the Ambazonian Independence Day.[2]
The aims were stated to be to protect civilians from "terrorists" and "criminals" and restore public security in the city.[22] The operation was consistent with Cameroon's general military strategy of focusing on retaining control over all major urban areas in the Anglophone regions, while not trying to recapture all rural areas that had come under separatist control.[23] As of September 2020, separatists openly controlled villages not far from Bamenda.[24]
Timeline of notable events
2020
- On September 10, a Cameroonian soldier was killed during clashes with separatists.[25] Ambazonia Defence Forces deputy defense chief Capo Daniel (based in exile) responded by imploring local civilians to rise up in opposition to Operation Bamenda Clean.
- On September 14, two people were summarily executed by soldiers.[26]
- On September 21, soldiers summarily executed five civilians in Ngongham, outside Bamenda.[27]
- On October 6, several teachers were abducted by alleged separatists.[28]
- On October 16, a fire erupted in the building where the command post of the Bamenda Territorial Gendarmerie was located. According to an official statement, the cause had been an accident rather than an act by the separatists, and the fire was put out after two and a half hours.[29]
- On November 3, Cameroon accused separatists of attacking the Longla Comprehensive College in Bamenda.[30]
- At some point in late-December, there were armed clashes and explosions, and an eight-year-old was killed when he got caught in the crossfire between Cameroonian troops and separatist fighters.[6]
2021
- On January 23, at least four civilians were killed in Bamenda.[31]
- On February 1, Cameroonian soldiers "neutralized" two armed separatists in Bamenda, and captured a separatist commander known as "General Sweet Tuma".[32]
- On February 3, three public employees were abducted by suspected separatists in Bamenda, allegedly for sealing shops whose owners respected separatist-imposed ghost towns.[33]
- On February 5, Cameroonian soldiers rescued four civilian hostages from a separatist camp at Ntanka, outside Bamenda. The Cameroonian Army reported to have suffered no casualties, and claimed that four separatist fighters were killed and four captured in the fighting. One of the dead insurgents was "General Lion". One civilian was wounded during the raid.
- On February 8, two Cameroonian soldiers were killed in a separatist ambush.[34]
- On March 5, heavy fighting was reported in Bamenda.[35]
- On March 10, at least two Cameroonian soldiers were killed when separatists ambushed a military control post in Bamenda. Clashes were also recorded elsewhere in the city.[36]
- On April 4, a police officer was killed on the Bamenda-Bali road in a suspected separatist ambush.[37]
- On April 7, the head of the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Centre in Bamenda was abducted from his home.[38]
- On April 18, following clashes with separatists Mile 90, Bamenda, Cameroonian soldiers entered a local bar and massacred at least five civilians.[39]
- On April 19, separatist commander "General Cobra" and four of his fighters were captured in Bamenda.[8]
- On April 30, there were clashes in the neighborhood of Rendezvous.[40]
- On May 8-9, soldiers freed at least four hostages in a raid on a separatist camp in Tanka, Bamenda. Neither side suffered casualties.[41]
- On May 26, separatist fighters shot a civilian multiple times, reportedly after he had publicly criticized their activities. He died from his wounds days later.[42]
- On July 4, Cameroonian soldiers killed a civilian at a police control post in Below Foncha, Bamenda. The killing sparked mass protests, during which civilians destroyed the control post.[43]
- On July 6, two separatist fighters were killed in Bamenda.[44]
- On July 19, separatist fighters were recorded dismembering a Cameroonian soldier in Bamenda.[45]
- On August 1, Cameroonian troops rescued a soldier from an Ambazonian detention facility, hours before his scheduled execution.[46]
- On August 7, three civilians were killed by suspected separatists in Mile 2 Nkwen, Bamenda.[47]
- On August 12, separatists abducted a man they accused of selling products that they had banned. The man was later killed in captivity.[48]
- On September 11, a police officer was killed in Bamenda.[49]
- On September 12, at least four separatist fighters were killed in Bamenda.[50]
- On October 1, the Cameroonian Army claimed to have killed a high-ranking soldier of the Bambalang Marine Forces.[4]
- On October 29, ADF commander "General Cross and Die" was killed in Bamenda.[9]
- On November 15, two separatists were killed during a shootout with police forces.[51]
- On November 19, separatists blew up a military vehicle in Bamenda with an IED, causing an unknown number of casualties. The ADF claimed responsibility.[52]
- On December 9, separatists ambushed a BIR convoy, and the ensuing gunfight saw the deaths of four separatist fighters.[53]
- On December 22, Cameroonian soldiers killed two civilian teenagers and injured one in Ngongham, Bamenda.[54]
2022
- On January 11, SDF senator Henry Kemende was killed in Bamenda. No one claimed responsibility.[55]
- On January 28, a Cameroonian police officer was shot dead by separatist fighters in Bamenda. The ADF claimed responsibility.[56]
- On February 25, the ADF abducted ten teachers from a school for disabled children in Ngomham, Bamenda.[57]
- On February 26, suspected separatist fighters opened fire on a vehicle in Bamenda killing a nurse and wounding a doctor.[58]
- On March 17, gunmen believed to be separatist fighters killed a man impersonating a fighter in Bamenda.[59]
- On April 5, separatists attacked the University of Bamenda for defying a ghost town operation.[60]
- On April 17, two civilians were killed following clashes between soldiers and separatists in Bamenda.[61]
- On April 30, the ADF abducted Senator Regina Mundi of CPDM and her driver in Bamenda and asked Paul Biya to release 75 Ambazonian prisoners.[62]
- On May 1, unknown gunmen kidnapped a lawyer in Bamenda.[63]
- On May 8, the Cameroonian Army killed three people including two separatists in Bamenda.[64]
- On May 16, clashes broke out in Bamenda and lasted for at least three days.[65]
- On May 26, a BBC correspondent was kidnapped by gunmen in Bamenda.[66]
- On June 11, a Cameroonian gendarme was killed and beheaded by separatists in Bamenda, and another one was wounded.[67]
- On June 16, a Cameroonian gendarme was injured in a separatist attack and left to die by his attackers; he was later rescued by locals.[68]
- On July 31, Cameroonian forces initiated a three-day, multi-front attack on the ADF in the Batibo district. Two separatist fighters known as "Colonel John" and "General Rasta" including 15 other ADF fighters were killed by the Cameroonian forces in Bambui, and another 18 were said to have been captured. The Cameroonian Army said that eleven of its forces were injured during the operation, while the ADF claimed to have killed "at least two dozen" soldiers. Local eyewitnesses reported losses on both sides, as well as civilian deaths.[69] The ADF confirmed the death of eleven of their men,[70] and said that they had cancelled an offensive in Bamenda involving 300 fighters due to the losses.[71]
- On August 5, three people were killed (possibly summarily executed) by alleged Cameroonian soldiers in Bamenda.[72]
- On September 8, at least four soldiers were killed in a separatist attack. The Butabu Kwifor and the Mankon Warrior claimed responsibility.[73]
- On September 9, a soldier was shot dead by separatists.[74]
- On September 10, Cameroonian forces invaded a vicinity and burnt down houses and shops to avenge the death of their colleagues killed two days ago by separatist fighters.[75]
- On November 5, Ambazonian soldiers shot and killed a businessman commonly known as King Boy in the Mbessi neighborhood in Bamenda.[76]
- On January 11, SDF senator Henry Kemende was killed in Bamenda. No one claimed responsibility.[55]
2023
- On January 4, a Cameroonian gendarme was killed by separatist fighters. The ADF claimed responsibility.[77]
Alleged abuses
In late-September, the Cameroon Bar Association accused the army of extorsion and intimidation of civilians, arbitrary arrests, assault, torture, and denying detained persons access to lawyers.[13] Similar concerns were voiced by locals on the same day as the operation started.[22] Brig. Gen. Valere Nka denied the accusations and said that the army respected human rights.[7]
Notes and References
- https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroon-security-officials-in-bamenda-launch-operation-to-protect-population/ Cameroon: Security officials in Bamenda launch operation to protect population
- https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-54292293 Operation Bamenda Clean: Five tins you get for know about dis joint army, gendarme and police operation
- Web site: Cameroon Military Sweeps Northwest City to Weed Out Separatists . Moki Edwin Kindzeka . . 10 September 2020 . 6 October 2020 .
- http://www.news.cn/english/2021-10/02/c_1310222296.htm Four killed as Cameroon separatists celebrate "independence" day
- https://www.cameroon-tribune.cm/article.html/34836/fr.html/situation-in-nw-sw-operation-bamenda-clean-on-course Situation in NW/SW: Operation "Bamenda Clean" On Course
- https://www.dw.com/en/cameroons-anglophone-crisis-no-end-in-sight/a-56106405 Cameroon's Anglophone crisis: No end in sight
- 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
- Web site: CrisisWatch April 2021. April 2021. International Crisis Group. May 4, 2021.
- Web site: Crise anglophone: un «général» ambazonien abattu par l’armée dans le Nord-Ouest . 30 October 2021 . Actu Cameroun . 30 October 2021 .
- Web site: Self-Acclaimed Separatist General Killed In Cameroon’s Northwest Region . 26 October 2021 . Bisong Etahoben . HumAngle . 15 June 2023 .
- Web site: "General Satan" Anglophone Separatist Killed In Cameroon . 9 September 2022. HumAngle . 9 September 2022 .
- https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/news-in-brief/cameroon-about-20-separatists-repent-since-launch-of-operation-bamenda-clean-nddrc-cordinator/ Cameroon: About 20 separatists repent since launch of operation Bamenda clean-NDDRC Cordinator
- https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroon-bar-council-wants-actions-of-soldiers-in-bamenda-clean-operation-probed/ Cameroon/Bamenda clean operation: Bar Council wants soldiers’ ‘abuses’ probed
- https://www.voanews.com/africa/cameroonians-displaced-crisis-return-new-year Cameroonians Displaced by Crisis Return on New Year
- https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroon-bamenda-making-good-use-of-ghost-towns/ Cameroon/Bamenda: Making good use of ‘Ghost Towns’
- https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/cameroon-separatists-kill-15-soldiers-attacks-using-explosives-2021-09-20/ Cameroon separatists kill 15 soldiers in attacks using explosives
- https://twitter.com/CMRNewsAgency/status/1281898320466771969 Twitter
- https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-54089694 Operation Bamenda clean: Residents share tori of 'wickedness' as Cameroon army begin mop-up separatists
- https://cameroonnewsagency.com/tussle-for-power-between-ambazonia-fighters-and-administrators-over-who-controls-bamenda/ Tussle For Power Between Ambazonia Fighters And Administrators Over Who Controls Bamenda
- https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroon-late-amba-general-mad-dog-killed-over-100-in-nw-region-military/ Cameroon: Late Amba ‘General Mad Dog’ killed over 100 in NW region – Military
- http://cameroonjournal.com/2017/09/13/breaking-news-explosions-in-bamenda-and-killings-in-besongabang-military-base-adf-claims-responsibility/ Explosions in Bamenda and Killings in Besongabang Military Base, ADF Claims Responsibility
- https://cameroonnewsagency.com/soldiers-police-extort-civilians-in-operation-bamenda-clean/ Soldiers, Police Extort Civilians In Operation Bamenda Clean
- 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?
- https://www.fodors.com/world/africa-and-middle-east/experiences/news/i-traveled-deep-into-conflict-to-bury-my-grandfather-i-returned-slightly-charmed I Traveled Deep Into Conflict to Bury My Grandfather. I Returned Slightly Charmed
- https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroon-one-soldier-killed-in-amba-military-clashes-in-bamenda/ Cameroon: One soldier killed in Amba/military clashes in Bamenda
- https://twitter.com/CMRNewsAgency/status/1307037778832752645 Twitter
- https://cameroonnewsagency.com/nwsw-region-govt-forces-kill-11-civilians-in-24-hours/ NWSW region: Gov’t Forces Kill 11 Civilians In 24 Hours
- https://actucameroun.com/2020/10/11/crise-anglophone-les-ambazoniens-kidnappent-les-enseignants-a-bamenda/ Crise anglophone : les ambazoniens kidnappent les enseignants à Bamenda
- https://twitter.com/CMRNewsAgency/status/1318460389395472385 Twitter
- https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroon-govt-accuses-ambazonia-separatists-of-multiple-school-attacks/ Cameroon govt accuses ‘Ambazonia’ separatists of multiple school attacks
- https://twitter.com/CMRNewsAgency/status/1353098493339049991 Twitter
- 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
- https://actucameroun.com/2021/02/04/crise-anglophone-trois-agents-de-la-commune-de-bamenda-2-kidnappes/ Crise anglophone : trois agents de la commune de Bamenda 2 kidnappés
- https://actucameroun.com/2021/02/09/crise-anglophone-deux-soldats-tues-a-bamenda-nord-ouest/ https://actucameroun.com/2021/02/09/crise-anglophone-deux-soldats-tues-a-bamenda-nord-ouest/
- https://cameroonnewsagency.com/bui-ambazonia-fighters-launch-ieds-targeting-government-forces/ Bui: Ambazonia Fighters Launch IEDs Targeting Government Forces
- https://twitter.com/CMRNewsAgency/status/1369750215322898436 Twitter
- https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroonpolice-officer-killed-by-suspected-ambazonia-fighters-in-restive-nw-region/ Cameroon:Police officer killed by suspected Ambazonia fighters in restive NW Region
- https://twitter.com/CMRNewsAgency/status/1379802446030106627 Twitter
- https://twitter.com/CMRNewsAgency/status/1384154009401913362 Twitter
- https://twitter.com/CMRNewsAgency/status/1388445833385873409 Twitter
- https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroonsoldiers-free-four-hostages-from-ambazonia-captivity/ Cameroon:Soldiers free four hostages from ‘Ambazonia’ captivity
- https://www.facebook.com/CAMEROONNEWSAGENCY/posts/3915143438598678 Facebook
- https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroon-bamenda-irate-population-burn-down-police-control-post-in-protest-over-killing-of-youth/ Cameroon/Bamenda: Irate youths burn down police control post in protest over killing of one of theirs
- https://www.facebook.com/CAMEROONNEWSAGENCY/posts/4022301584549529 Facebook
- https://cameroonnewsagency.com/ambazonia-forces-dismember-military-lieutenant-in-bamenda/ Ambazonia Forces Dismember Military Lieutenant In Bamenda
- https://www.facebook.com/CAMEROONNEWSAGENCY/posts/4098818220231198 Facebook
- https://www.facebook.com/CAMEROONNEWSAGENCY/posts/4115419485237738 Facebook
- https://www.facebook.com/CAMEROONNEWSAGENCY/posts/4158968250882861 Facebook
- https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroon-bloody-weekend-leaves-dozens-dead-in-restive-anglophone-region/ Cameroon: Bloody weekend leaves dozens dead in restive Anglophone region
- https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroon-four-ambazonia-fighters-killed-in-bamenda/ Cameroon: Four Ambazonia fighters killed in Bamenda
- Web site: Cameroonian troops kill two armed separatists in restive Anglophone region . 15 November 2021 . Xinhua . 15 November 2021 .
- Web site: Facebook . 21 November 2021 . Cameroon News Agency . 21 November 2021 .
- Web site: Crise anglophone: l’armée neutralise 4 « terroristes » à Bamenda . 10 December 2021 . Actu Cameroun . 10 December 2021 .
- Web site: Crise anglophone: l’armée accusée d’avoir tué 2 filles à Bamenda . 13 December 2021 . Actu Cameroun . 22 December 2021 .
- Web site: Cameroonian senator and soldier killed in lawless anglophone region . The Guardian . 12 January 2022 . The Guardian . 12 January 2022 .
- Web site: A Policeman working at the 3rd Police District has been killed in Bamenda, North West region . 28 January 2022 . Cameroon News Agency . 29 January 2022 .
- Web site: Cameroon Separatists Abduct Teachers at School for Disabled . Voice of America . 25 February 2022 . 26 February 2022 .
- Web site: Bamenda: Suspected Amba Fighters Open Fire on Vehicle, kill nurse, wound doctor . Mimi Mefo Info . 28 February 2022 . 28 February 2022 .
- Web site: BREAKING: Gunmen kill man impersonating Amba boys In Bamenda . 18 March 2022 . Mimi Mefo Info . 18 March 2022 .
- Web site: Cameroon: Gunshot battle in the university of Bamenda Disrupts Studies . 6 April 2022. Nana Kamsukom . Journal du Cameroun . 6 April 2022 .
- Web site: Two civilians killed as soldiers clash with Amba Fighters in Bamenda. 19 April 2022. Solemanu Buba . Mimi Mefo Info . 19 April 2022 .
- Web site: The Ambazonia Defense Forces, ADF, has demanded a prisoner exchange after "arresting" Senator Regina Mundi on April 30. They want President Paul Biya to release more than 75 high-profile Ambazonian prisoners. . 1 May 2022. Cameroon News Agency. 1 May 2022 .
- Web site: Crise anglophone: un avocat kidnappé par des hommes armés à Bamenda. 1 May 2022. Actu Cameroun . 2 May 2022 .
- Web site: Carnage as soldiers kill three in Bamenda. 8 May 2022. Mimi Mefo Info. 8 May 2022 .
- Web site: Cameroon separatists impose lockdown to disrupt national day activities . 19 May 2022. News Ghana . 19 May 2022 .
- Web site: Frederick Takang, le correspondant de la BBC enlevé à Bamenda . 27 May 2022. Actu Cameroun . 28 May 2022 .
- Web site: Amba fighters kill gendarme in Bamenda. 11 June 2022. Cameroon News Agency. 11 June 2022 .
- Web site: Injured Gendarme rescued by population in Bamenda. 16 June 2022. Cameroon News Agency. 16 June 2022 .
- 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 .
- Web site: ADF confirms death of 11 combatants, says Cameroon military offensive at headquarters came in wake of major operation . 2 August 2022. Cameroon News Agency. 2 August 2022 .
- Web site: Cameroon Separatists Killed and Captured in Days of Fighting Military Forces . 2 August 2022. Voice of America . 2 August 2022 .
- Web site: Three young men killed by suspected government forces in Bamenda . 5 August 2022. Cameroon News Agency. 6 August 2022 .
- Web site: Government forces burn houses, stores in Mankon avenging death of colleagues . 10 September 2022. Cameroon News Agency . 10 September 2022 .
- Web site: NOSO/ Vengeance : un nouveau militaire abattu par les Ambaboys. 11 September 2022 . CamerounWeb . 11 September 2022 .
- Web site: Government forces burn houses, stores in Mankon avenging death of colleagues . 10 September 2022. Cameroon News Agency . 10 September 2022 .
- Web site: 2022-11-07 . Ambazonian fighters gun down businessman in Bamenda . 2022-11-11 . Mimi Mefo Info . en-US.
- Web site: The lifeless body of a gendarme... - Cameroon News Agency . 2023-01-05 . Cameroon News Agency . en.
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