Between July 28 and 31, 2022, Cameroonian forces launched a localized offensive into the Ambazonian-controlled town of Bambui, in Northwest Region, Cameroon, sparking clashes with the separatist Ambazonia Defence Forces.
| Battle of Bambui | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Anglophone Crisis | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Cameroon |
 Ambazonia | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Bouba Dobekreo |
"General Rasta"  "Colonel John" | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 11 injured (per Cameroon) | 15 killed (per Cameroon) | ||||||
Prelude
editThe Anglophone Crisis began in 2017, when English-speaking people in the northwestern and southwestern regions of Cameroon declared independence due to allegations of persecution by the French-speaking Cameroonian government.[1] Originally beginning as a low-level insurgency, the Cameroonian government established control over the major cities while the Ambazonian rebels controlled much of the countryside and a few villages by 2020.[2] By 2022, both sides regularly launched raids on the territories of one another. In July 2022, tensions flared up in the Northwest Region near the regional capital of Bamenda after Cameroonian troops killed the commander of the pro-Ambazonian Red Dragons.[3]
Battle
editOn July 28, Cameroonian media stated that Cameroonian forces were preparing an incursion into Northwest Cameroon.[4] A day later, Cameroonian forces passed through the cities of Enyo, Ewai, and Bossom.[4] While passing through Bambui on July 31, elements of the Cameroonian Tubah Gendarmerie Brigade and Special Gendarmes Forces ambushed a group of Ambazonian fighters, sparking a firefight.[4][5] According to Cameroonian media, fifteen Ambazonian fighters were killed in the clash, while eleven Cameroonian soldiers were injured.[4][5] The operation was planned by Cameroonian general Bouba Dobekreo.[5]
Two Ambazonian commanders, General Rasta, also known as Roy Angafor Asenjo, and Colonel John, were captured.[6] The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa stated that General Rasta and Colonel John were both tortured before their deaths, and were extrajudicially killed.[7]
References
edit- ^ Moussissa, Nancy-Wangue (2022-09-23). "Cameroon: Who makes up the Ambazonian government and diaspora?". The Africa Report.com. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
- ^ Nwafor, Justice (2022-10-31). "Financing The Ambazonian Dream". HumAngle. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
- ^ "War in Anglophone regions: Chris Anu officially announces death of brother, Oliver Lekeaka". Cameroon News Agency. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
- ^ a b c d "Two Ambazonia forces killed in Bambui, 15 killed and hideouts ransacked in Batibo-Security sources". Cameroon News Agency. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
- ^ a b c Etahoben, Chief Bisong (2022-08-02). "Cameroon Army Kills Ten Separatist Fighters". HumAngle. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
- ^ "Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon: Joint Flash Report on Extrajudicial Killing of Two Alleged Separatist Fighters in Bambui, North West Region – Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa". Retrieved 2023-03-21.
- ^ "Joint Flash Report: Extrajudicial Killing of Two Separatist Fighters in Bambui" (PDF). Cameroon Anglophone Crisis Database of Atrocities. August 4, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2023.