Top Civil Servant Abducted, Four Hurt In Cameroon
Rukhshan Mir (@rukhshanmir) Published March 18, 2018 | 02:11 AM
Yaound�, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Mar, 2018 ) :Suspected separatists abducted a top civil servant Saturday in an English-speaking region of Cameroon while security sources said four people were hurt in an attack on a ministerial convoy, adding to months of recent unrest.
Ivo Leke Tambo, recently-appointed chairman of Cameroon's anglophone educational board, GCE, was abducted just outside the southwestern town of Lewo. A video was later circulated by sources close to the secessionists showing a partially clothed Leke Tambo sat on the ground in the bush.
Authorities did not immediately confirm the abduction of Leke Tambo, the latest in a slew of abductions in recent weeks. Last month saw an official from the ministry of social affairs likewise kidnapped in the northwestern city of Batibo.
Tension has soared in anglophone parts of Cameroon, accounting for about a fifth of the population, since separatists on October 1 declared the self-proclaimed republic of "Ambazonia". The government was also silent on an attack reported Saturday by security sources in the southwestern English-speaking village of Alou by unidentified assailants on a convoy accompanying Economy Minister Paul Tasong.
Elsewhere, social media footage showed an attack on a bus carrying some 30 people by armed members of the self-declared Ambazonia Defence Forces. The latest unrest came a day after newly-appointed Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji embarked on a 48-hour "peace mission" to the anglophone northeast of the country.
Speaking in regional capital Bamenda on Friday he appealed for "violent separatists" to desist. Long-ruling President Paul Biya called a rare cabinet meeting on Thursday at which he vowed to push ahead with a military crackdown on the separatists.
The west African country has had a tortuous colonial history that saw it pass from German rule to French and British hands and the anglophone minority complain of having long been marginalised by the French-speaking elite.
The past year has seen regular unrest which was ramped up further in January when 47 separatists, including their leader Sisiku Ayuk Tabe, were extradited from Nigeria.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
More Stories From World
-
Slot 'confident' of Liverpool job as 'negotiations' take place
4 hours ago -
Google parent Alphabet's Q1 profits beat estimates: company
4 hours ago -
WADA asks 'independent prosecutor' to examine Chinese swimmers case
4 hours ago -
New York court overturns Harvey Weinstein sex crime conviction
5 hours ago -
Bagnaia and Spanish rivals chase victory at Jerez
6 hours ago -
Russian, Ukrainian strikes kill at least 10 in frontline regions
6 hours ago
-
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
6 hours ago -
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
6 hours ago -
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leave after 20 years of ..
7 hours ago -
Putin says plans to visit China in May
7 hours ago -
US reinstates open internet rules rescinded under Trump
7 hours ago -
Honda announces US$11 bn EV battery and vehicle plant in Canada
8 hours ago