BY SANDRA LUM
More and more youths caught in the web of the ongoing armed conflict in the North West and South West rages, are fleeing to safe havens and most especially where the respect of human rights is prime, as political witch-hunting and scores-settling has taken centre stage.
Some of the youths are victim of circumstances. They have been tagged as blacklegs and declared wanted by separatist fighters because they have rejected their call to join them pick up arms against the state.
Meanwhile, the military, on the other hand, has declared some of the youths wanted for not only siding and collaborating with the separatist fighters but have been involved in the pacific demonstrations and protests called by Anglophone teachers and Common Law lawyers.
These suspected activists, who have been arrested, have been either jailed or killed and their homes razed to the ground and majority of the family relatives killed. Many have gone underground, the whereabouts of many remains cloudy. Homes of suspected activists, who are abroad for fear of the unknown, are constantly being investigated as the military keeps on making impromptu visits thus injecting constant fear.
Caught in web amidst the armed- conflict in NW, SW Regions
The alleged activists including teachers, lawyers, health personnel, journalists and businessmen, who have been considered as dangerous and threats to the public have been declared wanted. The population has equally been urged to be vigilant and report to the closest gendarmerie, police and military stations. The activists abound and a list bearing the names of these alleged activists is already making rounds in the hands of the military as they have been placed under military searchlight and declared wanted.
One of the victims caught in the web amidst the Anglophone crisis that metamorphosed into an armed conflict in 2017 is Efundem Dorane Orock. Reports from family sources says the whereabouts of the Kosala, Kumba-based private teacher remains cloudy.
At press time, both the military and separatist fighters had declared her wanted just like many other youths in the two restive Regions of the North West and South West.
THE SUN gathered that upon graduation from the University and unable to secure a job through government official exams, Efundem decided to earn a living as a private teacher. With the Anglophone crisis, Efundem, like most other teachers, joined in the pacific protests and demonstrations which unfortunately met with military reprisal, thus forcing her and others to go into hiding for their lives.
Reports say Efundem and colleagues were later identified as teachers at a security checkpoint while on their way to Kumba from their hideout. They were arrested, molested, tortured and detained under horrible conditions on grounds that they are disturbing the peace of the country.
Efundem Dorane Orock was released two days later after having allegedly paid a huge amount of money to the authorities, though sexually assaulted. We gathered that even though Efundem relocated out of Kumba, the separatist fighters immediately tagged her “blackleg” and threatened to deal with her on grounds that she has abandoned the struggle and is acting like a government spy.
Life wasn’t the best for her, just like other Anglophones who have become Internal Displaced Persons, IDPs, due to the armed conflict and she decided to relocate back to Kumba, and celebrated her marriage in January 2023.
However, shortly after the marriage ceremony, she was kidnapped by separatist fighters for having abandoned the struggle. Her family paid a huge amount as ransom for her to gain her freedom.
For fear of the unknown, Efundem decided to relocate out of Kumba, but unfortunately at a security checkpoint she was again identified as one of the teachers protesting against the government. Efundem is reported to have escaped at the checkpoint following a sporadic exchange of guns between the separatist fighters and the military. Reports say Efundem and her husband settled in Yaounde, but were later arrested and detained by the police and were released after serious negotiation.
However, following a robbery of a wealthy man in their Yaounde neighbourhood, the entire neighbourhood, especially houses of Anglophone, were ransacked and properties destroyed. Efundem had no other option than to escape out of the country, taking into consideration her past encounters and experiences with the military and separatist fighters.
The country is now considered unsafe by many Anglophones in the diaspora who fear arrest or death if they return to the country. While the Anglophone crisis continues to escalate, International organisations and other western powers have called on the Government to address the root cause of the crisis through genuine and inclusive dialogue.