Cameroon: Deadly clashes in Southwest May 20 /update 1

Event

Violent clashes broke out in the Southwest region on Sunday, May 20, during Cameroon's national Unity Day celebrations. According to local sources, at least one police officer was killed, and two more wounded, in clashes in Ekona (Southwest) between security forces and separatist militants. Further clashes are possible in the coming days.

Context

National Unity Day is an annual celebration that commemorates the anniversary of the creation of the Cameroonian state.

Tensions between the country's minority English-speaking community and the national authorities in the Northwest and Southwest regions remain high. The period since November 2016 has been marked by the closure of all English-speaking schools, strikes, unrest, and sporadic violence. These tensions have escalated considerably since October 2017, when secessionists unilaterally proclaimed independence in the region.

Advice

Individuals in Cameroon are advised to remain vigilant, report all suspicious objects and behavior, and follow all instructions issued by local authorities.

On a separate note, due to the high threat of terrorism, some Western governments advise citizens in or planning travel to Cameroon against travel to the Far North region as well as other areas bordering Nigeria, Chad, and the Central African Republic; travel to these areas should only be considered with appropriate security protocols in place.