Cameroon: Caution advised for foreigners in Anglophone regions Oct. 31 /update 1

Event

On Wednesday, October 31, the Cameroonian Minister of Defense advised foreigners to exercise caution in the Anglophone regions (i.e. Northwest region, Southwest region) after an American missionary was killed in Bambui (Northwest region), some 14 km (9 mi) from Bamenda, on Tuesday, October 30. The missionary was reportedly killed amid clashes in the area between separatist fighters and security forces. Authorities have advised foreign nationals in the Anglophone regions to inform authorities and security forces of their planned movements due to the threat of separatist violence. Additional clashes are to be expected in the Northwest and Southwest regions over the near term.

Context

Tensions between the country's minority English-speaking community and the national authorities in the Northwest and Southwest regions remain high amid an ongoing separatist movement. The period since November 2016 has been marked by the closure of English-speaking schools, strikes, unrest, and violence. These tensions have escalated considerably since October 2017, when secessionists unilaterally proclaimed independence in the region. The fighting has forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee over the border into Nigeria.

Advice

Individuals in Northwest and Southwest regions are advised to closely monitor the situation, follow all instructions issued by the local authorities (particularly curfews), and avoid protests or large gatherings due to the risk of associated violence.

On a separate note, some Western governments advise against travel to the Far North region as well as other areas bordering Nigeria, Chad, and the Central African Republic (CAR); travel to these areas should only be considered with appropriate security protocols in place.