STANDARD MIRROR

Ambazonian Power Tussle entangles Innocent Citizens in a LockDown Spree

Two press releases have been circulated online by different Groups fighting for the independence of “Ambazonian “. Earlier Tuesday 9th April , a group seemingly a coalition of the front line movements for the course published a communique calling off a LockDown planned for 10 days in Fako Division, South West Region.

According to the issue by the ” Southern Cameroons Liberation Council, SCLC,” the cries from Homeland is loud on the effects of the LockDown for those on ground Zero. This prompted the 7 groups coalition to immediately dumb the idea.

In a sharp contrast to the SCLC document, another group “Ambazonian Security Council, ASC” less than 24 hours issued it’s own press statement revoking the attempt of the former to stop the LockDown. This group accuses the SCLC for bypassing her authority to making pronouncements out of their jurisdiction without any consultations. The group also claims it’s on the ground and calls the shots to the “Struggle” unlike the coalition that is based Abroad, U. S. A. To ASC, the call-off will dampen their spirit to the struggle and her fighters on ground .

Since this happened, Denizens of Limbe, Fako Division, and the entire South West region has been in total abashment as to which path to follow after haven suffered more than half the days of the LockDown. During these days, buying food, travelling or even walking the streets tantamounts to breakage of law, and usually is sanctioned by summary executions. Many have continued expressing complete disappointed as to what they describe as uneccessary self inflicted punishment. Ace Lawyer, Ayah Paul Abine had earlier battled with Boh Herbert of MORISC , a member of the SCLC coalition over the issue. Some describe it a senseless LockDown given that, the very purpose for which the LockDown was conceived had crumble. The groups had endorsed the move, to frustrate the Limbe Cultural Festival, FESTAC, which has so far recorded successes.

It is not clear who is being respected as activies are reportedly not in full swing in the Fako Division. The Ambazonia restoration factions have often gotten themselves exchanging blows for who has authority over what. The power fight has left the population wondering what the struggle is all about.

The poor population has always paid the prize on behalf of the belligerent Parties. This is not the first time a LockDown is being declared by the Ambazonian advocates for over 10 days. Each time it happens, both fighters and state military go on rampage inflicting untold miseries on innocent citizens. Many are often killed on those days that are characterised by total fear and insecurity.

So far, no local group or international groups have been able to broker peace between the Cameroon Government and the separatists for Ambazonia. Many, above 5.000 people have been declared dead through excesses from both parties, as more families and villages continue burying their deads in great numbers.

Mbaku Jude

Standard Mirror

WHY THE WAR IN ANGLOPHONE CAMEROON MIGHT CONTINUE.

Haven lived the reality of the ongoing war in the North West and South West regions in Cameroon, guru.news.blog (STANDARD MIRROR) compile to you some reasons why the war in this west angle of the Cameroonian nation seemingly isn’t ending anytime soon. This is because, both those who chant “STRUGGLE CONTINUES” or “WE NEED PEACE” (From one corner of the mouth) are yet to be honest and sincere with their consciences, as the innocent population continue to perish. As satirical as the points below may seem, it’s a true reflection of the carefree attitude the stakeholders employ towards the crisis. Why might the war not stop anytime soon?:

If you do not have a child of school going age, your children are all grown, or you do not have a child at all, it’s easy to side with the Amba boys to kidnap students and teachers. So struggle continues.
If your wife, daughter, sister or even your mother has not been dragged out of the house by force to the Amba camps and raped, or even brutally beaten in public for just exchanging words with the girlfriend of an Amba commander, it’s just okay to run your mouth to say “Struggle continues”
The struggle is moving on well if your husband or brother has not been pulled out of the house by an “experience Military” and gunned down for simply being a well bodied structured man posing a threat to “National Unity”.
If the father of your kids has not been radicalized, his shop looted by military sending him financially bankrupt, and making it hard to feed the family, it will be easy to shout from roof top “Drop your arms”. What caused him to take the arms?
If you have never watched your 14 years old son, Child soldier, whom you had hoped on to be your future Doctor or pilot and a breadwinner of your family, flying around town on a motor cycle in the feel of an Amba boy, operating an auto rifle and ak47, stinking of charms and fetish concoctions (odeshi), it so normal to clap for the struggle.
That daughter you so long to be the next Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Kah Wallah or the amazing well cultured African lady like her Granny was is not yet a school dropout, a rape victim, a teenage pregnant girl, a disease carrier or just some useless nuisance in the neighborhood. Oh for sure, the struggle is waxing strong.
Think of it for a moment, the home you enjoy the most nostalgic moments of your childhood life in the countryside, or the entire village you left behind with peasant farmer parents and tribesmen to come back sometime and make them proud, has not yet been raided by strange men in uniform and weaponry, why then do you wish the war ends?

If you are not living a story you read in your English textbook at primary 5, where Samuel’s old grandparents and the little kids in the village had to escape the barrels of the Whiteman’s gun to another strange land as refugees because their houses had been burnt down by the army of “The Dictator Leader”, how dare you think it’s time to end the war?

If your father, a business tycoon in the city of Buea or Bamenda can’t carter for any of your family bills because the Amba boys say his products are contraband given that they are “Colonial French” oriented, you won’t see reasons to stop the war.

If your brother doesn’t hang around the quarter to play draft, smoke weed, drink palm wine because Ghost Towns by diaspora leaders have folded off his little business or his manageable commercial bike has been burnt by military, you have all rights to endorse a one month lockdown.

But wait, you have a stable salary with a surviving company, a matriculated civil servant who has a bank account on standby, whether you work or not, your salary is paid. How do you care about an old woman who depends on vegetable sales for survival? I guess even with 50 days shutdown by an “UNKNOWN AMBA GENERAL” your fridge can take you through. Aluta Continua

If your loved ones are not amongst those our most illustrious and industrious youngmen, the future of tomorrow who now feed on weed, and are shot like cockroaches or who publicly flog their old parents in public for not supporting the struggle, why should you worry about an end to the struggle?

You have no one in the military, those whose children are sent by government to fight these separatists is non of your business. To you, the lives of these young people “defending the territory from terrorists” is measured to nothing, there are not Cameroonians as well. I guess the war must progress while we sip imported wine and chuckle on “DROP YOUR ARMS”

Ah, you are in the Diaspora, and the only link to home or Ground Zero is your most sophisticated gadgets. You can call home, support your family, educate your kids in the best schools over there, they speak in all respect of phonetics, eat pizza not wild guava like their peers here. You can make miserable donations to fund the war. What is your business if all the fighters meet Lucifer in hell within a second? Should the war not precedent?

Oh, you are a big man in government (minister, general, colonel, mayor, director, etc) or a bigwig regime baron who has exclusive rights to provoke hate speech. You are being dozed thousands of millions of Fcfa from Yaounde to combat the “terrorists”, with less than 10% of the money used, how thy stupid saying this thing should end? Anything that helps exercebate the situation is welcomed.

If you are in other regions of Cameroon and witnessing a boom in business, life is good as usual, without a thought of ever putting to birth on” Elephant Grass instead of Chantal Biya foundation state of the art maternity beds”. Your regions has no sound of war helicopters and Hollywood blockbuster-like scenes, its common to call others whatever we care. They should be crushed if they don’t drop arms.

We of the international community do not border, it’s million miles away from us. We of the U.N.O see the war crimes and crimes committed against humanity but it’s just ok. Of course we need to go to Africa as “West African Director of Refugees” so let them fight. Even after the war, we will give an excuse that we failed to stop that we could. After all, we got Billions wired into our accounts from their Government.
Dear reader, for those of us who are living the reality of a 21^st century war in Southern Cameroon, West Cameroon, Ambazonia, North West and South West or whatever appellation you choose depending on our stance, we might have many of these reasons to remain in the war. Before you ask for weapons to be dropped or for the struggle to continue, stop at the above points and more, to search your conscience. Reality of it is, people will die, but not all. Others must live to tell the story. Above all, kill to satisfaction, like Hitler did, but live must continue

“THOSE WHO LIVE BY THE SWORD WILL DIE BY IT”

MBAKU JUDE
Standard Mirror

North West Journalists refuse to be used as Shields, send Clear message to Minister Atanga Nji and General Agha Robinson.

Two separate press releases by the North west Chapters of the Cameroon association of English Speaking Journalists, CAMASEJ, and the Cameroon Journalists Trade union have been signed and circulated all over social media. The releases call for total boycot by all their members, the security meeting and Press Conference of the minister of territorial administration, Atanga Nji Paul who is expected in the region, March 22nd. Also, they ask that, an interview circulated by the Regional Delegation of Communication for the North West to radio houses be stopped from going on air.

Firstly they complain that the audio clip from Joint Region Commander of North West and West region, General Agha Robinson is too long to be given free airtime as many times as possible (18Mins) given that most are commercial radio stations. Again, the recorded voice of the General was done without basic abilities of professionalism meaning they will have to reproduce the content. The message sides a great deal with Government’s narrative in the ongoing crisis in the region which the Journalists fear that might be risky airing it during this period of chaotic attacks on every sector by separatist fighters. To the Journalists, it’s a campaign and should be fully negotiated with their respective media organs and their trade Unions incase of any eventuality.

The message delivered by the Regional Delegation of Communication for North West ask the radio managers to broadcast the message as many times as possible. In the audio recorded in Pidgin to enable it reach the grassroots, the General calls for fighters of the “So Called Ambazonia State”, to drop their arms and come over to them for jobs and integration, a move that has not been welcomed by the opposing camp since the commission of Disarmament was formed.

The other issue deals with the methodology in which invitation for a ministerial coverage is done. To the reporters, its totally unacceptable that, a minister’s visit to the region will be haphazard and sketchy in form and structure. To handpick a pro government, overzealous and troublesome colleague of theirs who always impersonate the entire Press of the region to now pass through messages of the Ministry of territorial administration is sickening to the Media Professionals and high disrespect to the corp. They expect the communication Unit of the Ministry of Territorial Administration to do their job via the association heads or media houses. This will help bring all on board so that the right publications can be done void of misinformation.

It is for these reason that both decided to call a blackout to all the events as they insist that they can’t be used for political gains. Many journalists also complain that they is always some conspiracy in paying media houses after work done, the money usually chopped by organisers in Government offices while these poor media houses pay exorbitant taxes.

Journalist in Bamenda are inbetween the devil and red sea. Many have been threatened by separatist fighters and Government military for doing their jobs. Some have been arrested and others kidnapped by militia forces. Ambe MacMillan, president of CAMASEJ North West had been kidnapped for standing for school resumption in the trouble region.

The leaders of both associations say, their move is in a new strive to stamping sanity, respect and professionalism in the media business of the region. The members have welcomed the decision and are willing to follow to the latter. They say the disdain with which Government offices and event organisers treat them in the region comparatively to other regions, is totally demeaning, adding that they need peace and normalcy in the region, but not when non media actors feed fat from their works.

However, they have given the Minister and the General the room to do the right thing, by dealing with the right people in the Press business of the region to avoid impersonating and misleading the population with wrong and unprofessional information. Only then will the situation on boycot be revoked.

Members of both associations who default today’s order will be sanctioned according to laws of the unions.

Mbaku Jude
Standard Mirror

Ugly Kidnap; Coach of North West Best Football Club, YOSA, Kidnapped by Separatists

In the afternoon hours, Tuesday march 19th, the communication department of the most vibrant Elite 1 football club, Yong Sport Academy, announced the abduction of their head coach, Emmanuel Ndoumbe Bosso in Bamenda, regional headquarter of the restive North West.

According to the information from Team Press Officer Wanchia Cynthia, Ndoumbe Bosso had left his Food Market Residence to meet his club for a training session against day 10 match day with Ending sportive of Lekee.

No concrete information has come out from the abductors on what their demands from a club coach are, but it is established that, those defending the separation of the Anglophone regions of Cameroon are responsible for the act. Fondly called the “Amba Boys”, they have of recent embarked on a kidnap and release strategy. It is known that, ransoms are paid to these fighters who targets influential people. They inturn use the money to purchase arms needed to combat the regular military stationed on the soil of the Anglophone Cameroons.

One would wonder why a successful coach who has never hurt a fly since his career started in the region many years ago. Ndoumbe Bosso is a celebrated manager who led the club to victory of the Cameroon cup in 2013
His kidnap has raised dust over the genuineness of the abductors over their preys. Why Bosso? Why YOSA? Cognisant of the efforts put in place by the Late Proprietor, Bobe Yong Francis, in ameliorating football, education and development in the region.
Yong Francis’s Sport arena in Bamenda is the lone sport complex that accommodates matches for the visiting teams after Government and FecaFoot ( Cameroon football federation) failed to make available a play ground for the region since 2015.

Secret sources have equally hinted STANDARD MIRROR that, for the football session to have gone through this far, money had been dishes out to these separatist factions by football stakeholders. For these reasons and others, many see this kidnap as inappropriate and some say its non strategic as football has got nothing to do with the constitutional brouhaha in Cameroon today.

It’s not a surprise though to many who already know the modus operandi of the kidnappers. Some people in Bamenda have suffered kidnaps just for the mere fact that they are famous. Some have been kidnapped to send a warning signal, and others just for doing jobs or selling goods that the separatists have declared contraband.

While Ndoumbe Bosso remains in captivity, the communication unit has been appreciative to all calling for his immediate release and also to the players of the club to remain in spirit and form. Many fear its going to affect their future performances. YOSA is currently at the 2nd position on the elite one classification table with 12 points.

The entire SM team, publishing from the regional headquarter of the north West Bamenda, regrets the unfortunate incident as we join our voices to others in calling for the Release of Emmanuel Ndoumbe Bosso.

Mbaku Jude
Standard Mirror,Bamenda

Is Cameroon Media attempting to discredit U.S under secretary for African Affairs, Tibor Nagy?

In what looks like a calculated selection, State media, CRTV has been reporting the visit of U.S diplomat, Tibor Nagy from just a particular angle. Her reporters have been on a serious campaign to painting a picture that looks like Mr Nagy’s trip to Cameroon was to explore new trade avenues for businesses ONLY. A reporter from inside the state house at Etoudi is reported to have even said that, his sources say nothing filtered out of the diplomatic conversations between President Biya and Mr Nagy concerning Maurice Kamto’s Detention and the Anglophone Crisis.

This had gotten many wondering why the envoy of Donald Trump would leave pertinent issues like insecurity, human rights violation, and other Poor Governance issues which were the crux of his visit, to start dabbling in trade which isn’t really the best at the moment between both countries.

After his visit to the Unity Palace, the Diplomat went on to social media, Twitter, to announce what his points of discussions with not only the president but some other top dignitaries had been all about. First was his tweet on his discussions with Paul Biya; “Today, President Paul Biya and I discussed the way forward in our bilateral relationship , security assistance and human rights concerns in Cameroon. I also encouraged an end to violence and inclusive dialogue in the North West and South West Regions”

Shortly afterwards, his tweet on MRC’s detained leader, Maurice Kamto; “Foreign Minister, Mbella Mbella and I had a constructive discussion today on areas of cooperation. I highlighted my concerns about the arrest of Kamto and others, encouraging Cameroon to ensure due process, peaceful Assembly and freedom of speech”

These 2 tweets maintain Naggy’s position on the issues in Cameroon prior to his arrival in the country on March 17th. The U.S Embassy of Yaounde’s facebook page has also been reporting the visitor’s activities in the country ever since his arrival. He had welcomed His Ambasador here, Peter Henry Barlerin and delegations of his countrymen especially those doing business in Cameroon.

With this distortion of information, many had been quick to conclude that, Nagy’s visit was inconsequential to the majority of suffering Anglophones even without another information source informing the public rightly, on all angles of his visit. Thanks to social media, Cameroonians and the world have the facts to judge from now.

Misinformation and disinformation are journalistic concepts that threaten the healthy practice of the media corp and has as good friends, Bias and hate speech. It is common practice today in Cameroon to have half baked news from even the Public media in an attempt to side on stories and propel propaganda. The evolution of the social media has compounded the situation.

However, choosing a side to report a story is accepted but not when it must be distorted. The CRTV even mentioned with their news editions of Monday 18th that the diplomat said nothing on Kamto nor the Anglophone crisis. This attitude of Selective angling has discredited the CRTV.

Tibor Nagy who is on his African tour leaves Cameroon on Tuesday 19^th of march.

Mbaku Jude

Standard Mirror

As crisis deepens, Mezam SDO signs new order for Motorcycle Users.

In a press release signed March 12th, Senior Divisional Officer, Songa Pierre Rene observed that, the decision is prompted by the need to upgrade the sector and curb insecurity. The order took effect immediately and defauders are at risk of facing the “arm of the law”.

For one to become a bike rider, repairer, own a bike or do any transaction that has to do with a motorcycle, you must have certain requirements:
– You must own a National Identity Card
– Your bike must be registered in any of the councils of Bamenda 1,2 or 3. Or at the City Council.
– For commercial bikes, you must paint it’s tank with the yellow colour and obtain a Jacket with a serial number from the councils. Here is the communiqué below;

The motor Bike sector over the years have been a hard nut for the local administrative authorities of the region to contain. It should be noted that, this same procedure was introduced sometime ago in the region but failed to go through thanks to misunderstanding between the council areas, corrupt officials and limited human and material resources to put the plan in check.

As the crisis rolls on in the region and beyond, the Governor of the region had continued his ban on movement after 9pm to crack down Separatist fighters.
The most effective means of movement for these armed men is the motorcycle. Many innocent civilians have had their bikes ceased by the fighters for their missions which has often implicated the local people. Many motorcycles too have been burnt by security forces each time they suspect they belong to the Ambazonian Separatist fighters.

The commercial bikes sector employs many skilled and unskilled young men in the region. By April 2015, there were already more than 5.000 registered bikes in Mezam Division alone. However, less than one quarter of that number operate in the area as of this moment. A great majority of the youngsters have either escaped to other regions, or simply join the Fighters for the Restoration of the so called “Ambazonian State”

This order is yet to find an effective implementation strategy except a military approach, which as at now, remains a wrong move as the region seeks urgent peace and serenity. Fear of military excesses on local bike riders is feared thanks to the Press release.

Mbaku Jude
Standard Mirror

BRASERIES to revamp dying North West Economy with Creation of more than 5,000 new Jobs

As the crisis persist in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon, economic sabotage has been part of the modus operandi of the Separatists. One of the companies that have suffered from such sabotage is the Brewery company, Brasseries Du Cameroon.

However in it’s new program as announced by the company Earlier this week, it seeks to revamp it’s commercial Centre in Bamenda and the 4 Deports of Kumbo, Nkambe, Wum and Fundong. This with a workforce 400 workers, over 200 in Bamenda and about 50 in each of the 4 Deports, with a majority of the workers from the North West Region. It is calculated that, over 30 Suppliers, two of whom supply the majority of the drinks sold in the Bamenda Commercial Centre, about 3000 regular retailers and over 2000 in the informal sector will get employed.

They will be able to develop their families and improve on their livelihood by educating their children, building decent homes, and investing in diverse fields, thanks to Brasseries.

This is a company that has operated for more than 70 years in the region and had created more than 200.000 jobs directly and indirectly before the crisis.

Moreso, the multi million francs company has been able to uphold its corporate social responsibility by organising, and sponsoring giant cultural events of the region like the different annual traditional dances like NGONNSO, LEILA, ABINE NFOR, SHAATANG, NIKAI, and those in villages like GUZANG, WIDIKUM, BATIBO etc.

They have equally been sponsoring various Open Days in schools and communities financially and logistically through animation, publicity, publications and the quality of their products.

The population of the region has over the years benefited from football tournaments and talent promotion that has created footballers like Clinton Njie of the indomitable Lions (from the south West). Christmas too has often been made enjoyable over the years via BRASERIES program, “Christmas For All” with their Live Musical Band.

Many have applauded the spirit of the company in coming back despite the hard economic climate as they keep on educating the masses on their role in upholding and accompanying society in development.

Denying the company from functioning for the mere fact that its of French origin has not gone down well with many who still believe that there are many others structures from France still operating in the economic, political, and diplomatic setup of the North West Region of Cameroon. The question on many lips is, Why just Braseries? Is the population and the activists just being emotional or Rational?

Many are waiting anxiously to get BRASERIES Du Cameroon back in the region to gain not just employment but benefit from their products and services especially in fostering development

Mbaku Jude,

Standards Mirror.

Why President of North West Journalists was Kidnapped.

Clothed in the socio-economic and political stalemate of the Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon, many are those who have been victims of the outcome. This time around, the journalism corp wasn’t spared.

At about 2:45pm, Thursday 21st February, the President of the North West Chapter of the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists, CAMASEJ, was abducted. Ambe MacMillan, had left for town but got intercepted in the Locality of Nkwen by some unknown gun men. He was thereafter taken to an unknown destination where he passed the night.

Talking to the Press at his residence after his release, few minutes after midday, 22th February, Ambe MacMillan revealed that his crime was that, he advocated for school resumption in the troubled anglophone region. Ambe further thinks schools, hospital and the press should be spared from the war cage.

“The years that will be lost can’t be regained, the killings that are done need to be reported by journalists, let them not be attacked alongside Doctors, if we clamour for development” says Ambe

Upon learning of his abduction, journalists from within and without took to the main stream and social media advocating his release. Prominent Cameroonian Political leader, Kah Wallah, took to twitter demanding that the media must not be touched. International Peace journalist, Steven Young blood, Cameroon Community Media Network, CAMASEJ National Bureau, national Private media and even Diaspora activists of the “Ambazonian State” cried foul through communiques and advocacies.

Ambe is the first journalist to be abducted in the region by separatist fighters. However, Cameroonian security has arrested a couple of pressmen since the crisis started with some released.

Ambe MacMillan is also the face of online TV, Waka Africa TV. He worked with afrique nouvelle radio in Bamenda and is tipped to the National presidency of CAMASEJ in 2019. He is a common name in the north west median Landscape. He is married and a father of 2.

CNN News Saga: A ploy on Americano-Cameroon Corporations?

Just a day after American based Cable News Network, CNN published a story on her website on US decision to cut support to Cameroon for human rights abuses, doubts remain in the minds of many Cameroonians on the authenticity of the report. ( Check our previous post for the story)
In an emergency working session to the Cameroon ministry of Communications on Thursday February 7th, US Ambassador in Cameroon, Peter Henry Barlerin was categorical that , relation between both countries is rather witnessing progress.

“Cooperation between Cameroon and United States are excellent and long standing and we intend to keep that relationship. We aren’t going to stop military corporation with Cameroon. Cameroon is a sovereign country and USA is a Sovereign country”Henry Barlerin told national broadcaster, CRTV after meeting with communication minister Emmannuel Rene Sadi.

**Peter Henry Barlerin-US Ambassador, Cameroon**

Image: Internet

The Ambassador added that, he had also gone to the ministry to congratulate Rene Sadi for his last month appointment as Government Spokesman.

Henry Barlerin’s outing has brought to question the credibility of world class media CNN, Washington Post, DW Africa and many other national and international media outfits that carried the story. Pressure has been brought to bear on them to prove that The Pentagon took such decisions without informing their emissary in Cameroon.

One thing also put to doubt from Barlerin’s interview is what he defines as “continuous corporation”. Many ask if its same as “cutting support” Many too have been quick to say its diplomatic talk from the world super power, not to openly reveal the agenda.

Since CNN made the announcement, Separatist activists in the Anglophone regions of the country have been celebrating for the fact that, according to them, weapons dispatched by US to fight Boko Haram insurgency in the north of the country are being used for the ongoing war between militia and military in that area. Government however, has denied this claim.

Human rights violations have been perpetuated grossly in this area since civilians took up arms in 2017. Last year, Ambassador Peter Henry Barlerin had come under scrutiny and wide condemnation for questioning and pointing a finger towards the state military for human rights abuses in Anglophone Cameroon.

As Cameroonians struggle to unravel the reality of this chaotic and complex situations, some questions are hanging.
Who may have sponsored the fake news on CNN and for what purpose? Will US officials make a televise statement on the claims of withdrawal of support from Cameroon? Can Cameroon Government sue such organs for creating diplomatic hate and animosity?

For abuse of human rights by government, USA stops over $17 million Support to Cameroon

Source:CNN- Wednesday February 6th 2019

The US government has decided to cut millions in security and military aid to Cameroon amid growing concerns over the Cameroonian government’s human rights record, US officials tell CNN.

The officials said the US intends to “terminate” over $17 million in security aid, including funds for radars, four defender-class patrol boats, nine armored vehicles, training programs for C-130 airplanes and helicopters and the withdrawal of an offer for Cameroon to be a candidate for the State Partnership Program.

A planned US funded upgrade to a Cessna aircraft belonging to Cameroon’s elite Rapid Intervention Battalion has also been terminated. The battalion, which has been previously advised by US troops, has been accused of engaging in human rights abuses.

Some of the security assistance money had been put on hold by Congress due to those concerns.

Last May, the US Ambassador to Cameroon, Peter Henry Barlerin, gave a speech that accused pro-government Cameroonian security forces of conducting “targeted killings, detentions without access to legal support, family, or the Red Cross, and burning and looting of villages.”

Barlerin also accused Anglophone separatists of committing “murders of gendarmes, kidnapping of government officials, and burning of schools.”

Another State Department official emphasized that “it is in Cameroon’s interest to show greater transparency in investigating credible allegations of gross violations of human rights abuses by security forces, particularly in the Northwest, Southwest, and Far North Regions.”

The US has had hundreds of troops in Cameroon tasked with training, advising and assisting local forces in their fight against ISIS West Africa, Boko Haram and other violent extremist organizations in the Lake Chad Basin region.

US Africa Command launched an investigation last August to determine if US personnel were aware of allegations of torture of suspected terrorists being carried out by US-trained Cameroonian troops from the Rapid Intervention Battalion at a base that was also frequently used by US military advisers.

The results of that investigation were not made public but a US defense official tells CNN that the investigation “found that US military forces in Cameroon were not involved in or aware of human rights violations committed by Cameroonian forces.”the results of that investigation were not made public but a US defense official tells CNN that the investigation “found that US military forces in Cameroon were not involved in or aware of human rights violations committed by Cameroonian forces.”