By Besong Sandrine Ebot (Part-time Reporter)
Wednesday, June 27th, 2018, went down into history, as just another dark day for the residents of the Muyuka Sub Division of Fako in the Southwest Region.
Since the Anglophone Crisis that started off in late 2016, quickly metamorphozed into an armed conflict between Government forces and the pro-independence Sepratists fighters, Muyuka has become one of the epicenters of the fighting and killings of innocent civilians.
On June 27th, one Mr Ache Paul Mandi, a resident of Muyuka, was shot and killed on his way to the farm,as Government forces have for well over a month been engaged in fierce fighting with the Separatists fighters.
Eye-witnesses told this reporter they firmly believe the military shot and killed Mandi.
They described him a peace loving person who was loved and admired by his neighbours, family members and friends alike.
But since the military launched their assault in the town in search of the Separatists fighters, they have been sparing no one they aim theur guns at.
The latest spate of violence began on May 10th, 2017, when Separatists fighters attacked and destroyed the Muyuka Police Post. Reports say some officers were killed in the attack and several guns and ammunition were carted away.
Following the attack, the Government forces, in retaliation, launched a no-remorse counter attack against perceived Separatists positions in the area.
But since the Separatists have been employing more of guerrilla warfare tactics, the military, thus, has been shooting at almost just anyone they come across.
That’s how eye-witnesses, who cannot be named for the sake of their safety told this reporter, during Mandi’s funeral, that it’s the military who shot and killed him as he was about leaving his home on that Wednesday, June 27th, 2018.
Many Human Rights NGO have condemned the killings of innocent civilians since the start of this crisis in 2018.
They have equally called on the Government to initiate dialogue as a means to find a quick solution to resolve the crisis. The war has now led to many people being killed arbitrarily and thousands, too, have fled their homes to seek shelter in other parts of the country.
Others directly opposed to the war have either fled the Country or been arrested and detained such as some lawyers, teachers and activists.
Even Journalists who have been trying to report on the crisis have suffered arrests or other forms of Government’s crack down.
As at press time, there were still reports of fighting ongoing in most parts of Muyuka.