Bamenda, the administrative center of the North-West region of Cameroon, found itself under a new controversial confinement this Thursday, April 25, 2024.
The city’s streets were deserted, stores closed and economic activities slowed, leaving many perplexed as to the origins of this latest ghost town phenomenon. Despite the prevailing calm, the separatist fighters of Ambazonia have declined any responsibility for the confinement. Last week, Ayaba Cho, head of the Ambazonia Governing Council, announced a partial lockdown, which received mixed support. Following restrictions imposed last week, reports have circulated that every Thursday will now witness ghost town celebrations until the end of April.
However, separatist representatives quickly refuted these claims. “There will be no confinement in Mezam tomorrow. Continue your activities,” admitted Ayaba Cho in a message published yesterday Wednesday and relayed by our colleagues at Mimi Mefo Infos. Despite widespread rumors, the restive town of Bamenda remained in a state of uncertainty. Earlier in the day, reports of heavy gunfire echoed through Mulang and several other areas of the city.
These so-called lockdowns have been used as a main tactic by separatist activists in the North West and South West Regions since 2016 in their fight for independence. Critics and local authorities in Bamenda have argued that such measures are counterproductive, inflicting more hardship on the local population than on the central government.
Actu Cameroun