Cameroon Unity Day Marred By Violence in Separatist Regions

Unity Day activities in Cameroon were marred this week by clashes between separatists and government troops. The violence left at least 16 people dead and 60 houses burned. Local media reported on May 21, 2021 that streets in Cameroon's English-speaking towns and villages were deserted, as the central African state celebrated its National Day, also known as Unity Day. Meanwhile business activity went on as usual in French-speaking towns and villages. Describing events in Cameroon was Efang, also known as Big Number, who calls himself the supreme general and commander of separatist fighters in the English-speaking north west and south west regions. He said: "English-speaking north west and south west regions no longer consider themselves part of the French-speaking majority state of Cameroon. English-speaking Cameroonians should not celebrate a national day imposed by the Yaounde government, which is using military might to deprive English speakers of their freedom", he said. Genesis Tamu a farmer in Buh village said that villagers found six corpses after the military withdrew from there on May 17, 2021.