Cameroon president urges separatists to down arms after 79 pupils kidnapped
Newly re-elected president warns of military action
Cameroon’s president on Tuesday warned Anglophone separatists to lay down their arms or face the full force of the law, a day after dozens of schoolchildren were abducted in the rebel region. Clashes between a secessionist movement and the army began more than a year ago in west Cameroon, killing more than 400 civilians and forcing thousands to flee their homes. On Monday, unidentified assailants kidnapped 79 children, their principal and a driver from the PSS Nkwen school in Bamenda in Northwest Region and took them into the bush outside town, military and government sources said. An army spokesperson blamed separatists for Monday’s kidnapping. A separatist spokesperson denied involvement and said government soldiers had carried it out, as a ploy to discredit the insurgents. Making an inauguration speech after re-election last month that extends his 36-year-old rule, President Paul Biya did not mention the kidnapping but attacked the separatists. “They need to know that they will f...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.