YAOUNDE: Around 20 people, including women and children, were killed during an overnight attack by separatist rebels on the village of Egbekaw in western Cameroon. The village, located in one of Cameroon’s anglophone regions, has been a battleground between rebels and government forces for seven years.
A senior regional administrative official, speaking anonymously to AFP news agency, confirmed the attack, revealing that the assault had left around 20 dead, with 10 seriously injured individuals currently receiving medical treatment in local hospitals. The victims included men, women, and children, with several houses set ablaze during the onslaught.
Conflict in Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon
Cameroon’s primarily English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions have been plagued by conflict since 2017, when separatists declared independence, citing longstanding grievances over perceived discrimination by the francophone majority.
Despite international calls for dialogue and peaceful resolution, President Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon for 41 years, has maintained a firm stance, resisting demands for wider autonomy and responding with a crackdown.
The ongoing conflict has exacted a heavy toll on the population, claiming more than 6,000 lives and displacing over a million people from their homes, according to the International Crisis Group. Both separatist rebels and government forces have been accused of atrocities, with civilians caught in the crossfire enduring the worst consequences.
During the recent attack on Egbekaw, armed rebels reportedly fired upon sleeping residents in their homes and set several houses ablaze, leading to the tragic loss of life. The incident occurred around 4:00 am, catching the unsuspecting villagers off guard. A resident, speaking anonymously due to security concerns, stated that 23 people had been recovered from the debris, some of whom were unrecognizable due to the intensity of the fire.
