Cameroon: gun battles rage despite Biya’s disarmament committee

There was an upsurge of violence in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon at the weekend despite a decision by the Head of State Paul Biya to create a National Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration Committee.

There was heavy fighting across the North West region last weekend with at least three persons killed in Mankon, Mezam division.

Traffic was paralyzed along the Buea-Kumba road in the South West region as gun battles raged throughout the weekend between security forces and separatist fighters.

Earlier last week, a twin suicide bomb attack from suspected Boko Haram elements led to at least 29 persons seriously injured in Amchide, Far North Region of the country.

All these happening before, during and after the Head of State signed the decree to set up the National Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration Committee.

Paul Biya said the Committee shall be headquartered in Yaounde and placed under the supervision of the Prime Minister, Head of Government.

The Committee will have regional Centres in Buea, Bamenda, and Mora with the possibility of creating more centres as the need arises, the Head of State said in the decree.

The Committee will be charged with organizing, supervising and managing the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of ex-fighters Boko Haram fighters and armed groups in the North West and South West regions willing to lay down their arms as requested by the Head of State in his swearing-in speech.

It is left to be seen how effective this committee will be given the rising insecurity in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon.