AN estimated 400 civilians and 160 state security personnel have been killed in the protests in English-speaking regions of Cameroon over the past two years.
The latest indication of worsening brutality is a video of separatists showing a security man's decapitated head.
The activists in
the North West region are demanding independence from Cameroon alleging
marginalisation by the government of Paul Biya, which is largely
French-speaking.
English speakers constitute 20 percent of the 24 million-population.
"The situation in
the Anglophone regions of Cameroon is becoming increasingly desperate
with no one spared from the violence which is spiralling out of
control," said Samira Daoud, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for
West and Central Africa.
Daoud said perpetrators from both sides had attacked and killed people or destroyed their properties but continue walking free.
Early this month,
armed separatists kidnapped seven students and the head of the
Presbyterian Comprehensive Secondary School in the town of Bafut. They
were released days later.
Last week, the
militants attacked positions of soldiers stationed near the town of
Buea, causing an intense exchange of fire between them and the security
forces.
It is feared violence will worsen with the upcoming elections in Cameroon.
"We may well see an
escalation in the number of security incidents and increased activity
by armed separatists threatening to disrupt the electoral process at all
costs," Daoud said.
Polls are set for October 7.
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