Protection Cluster NWSW Protection Monitoring Update: July - September 2024

The protection environment in the NWSW regions remained tense and unpredictable between the months of July to September, with an increase in criminality, non-State armed groups (NSAGs) incursions into urban areas like downtown Bamenda, attacks on State Security Forces (SSF) positions, threats to civilians, and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by NSAGs.

Population movements, including pendular movements continue to be recorded across both regions, with triggers ranging from armed attacks and fear of insecurity to the search for social infrastructure such as schools and housing. Most of the infrastructure in rural areas – schools, hospitals, markets and homes have been deliberately destroyed by NSAGs (and reportedly SSFs), and the civilian population has been forced to move to urban areas in search of these amenities. This movement has led to population increases in urban areas, creating a strain on social infrastructure, and leading to strained relations in some areas. This sudden increase in population is driving up food prices and rent, as the available housing is not sufficient to meet needs.

A number of NSAG leaders have either been killed or captured by the SSF, but rather than decreasing the conflict, this has led to a multiplication of NSAG factions and a significant increase in the use of IEDs, attacks on SSF positions and calls for lockdowns by NSAGS, all in a bid to pressure the government into releasing their captured comrades, attack the credibility of the central government and, question their commitment to resolving the anglophone crisis. Civilians continue to get caught in the crossfire, leading to multiple displacements, and severely affecting community resilience.

Between July and September, population displacements were recorded in Muyuka and Buea in Fako division, Mbonge (Meme), Akwaya and Mamfe in Manyu division and Ekondo-Titi (Ndian) in the South-West region. In the North-West regions, civilians fled from Ndu, Nkambe and Ako in Donga-Mantung division, Kumbo, Jakiri and Noni in Bui division, Tubah (Mezam), Widikum (Momo) and Menchum Valley (Menchum) to avoid getting caught in the crossfire and retaliatory attacks from NSAGS.

There are indications that the civilian population is growing tired of the on-going conflict, frequent lockdowns, adhoc movement restrictions and opportunistic criminal activities of armed gangs within the regions. In July, women in Mbessa village, Boyo division, staged a protest march against NSAGs in the area, who then reacted by killing one woman and one man. In August, Community force Members in Egangge, Akwaya subdivision, Manyu division, attacked an NSAG commander and his followers who were travelling along a road. This resulted in an exchange of gunfire, during which one community force member and one NSAG fighter were killed.

During focus group discussions (FGDs) with IDPs, they have repeatedly expressed the wish for peace, so they can return to their areas of origin and live in dignity.