Communal Violence In Nwa: US Calls For Calm, End Of Violence As Gov’t Maintains Suspicious Silence

The government of the United States of America has through its embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon, expressed deep concerns over the disturbing situation of communal violence in Nwa Sub-Division, Donga Mantung Division in the troubled North West region. 

The call of US government for restrain and return to normalcy comes as government has maintained suspicious silence over the disturbing killings of at least six natives by group of Fulanis from neighbouring Nigeria and Banyo in Adamawa region. The act according to the natives is carried out in complicity with the settlers in Nwa following attacks on several Yamba villages notably Ntim, Fam, Yang and Ntong. 

“We urge calm and call for an immediate cessation of violence, which has reportedly led to several deaths and the looting and burning of houses, markets, and churches in at least five villages,” read the release in parts, which called on authorities “to take all possible steps to ensure security for residents of Nwa, significant numbers of whom have reportedly been displaced and are now in need of humanitarian assistance”.

The release equally urged authorities to “conduct a full and impartial investigation and to hold perpetrators accountable”, and take steps to ease tensions and promote tolerance and mutual understanding within the affected communities.

Members of the  Nwa Fon’s Union, NWAFOU, are said to have added to their voices to the recent and disturbing happenings on the land.  They are said to have announced a meeting to dialogue on the issue and broker peace in the stalemate. 

According to a release issued 2 March 2021 by the Secretary General of NWAFOU, Fon Kassingong III, the announced meeting is billed for 12-13 March in Bankim, Mayo-Banyo Division of the Adamawa region.

The release explained that Bankim, a locality out of the subdivision has been chosen as the meeting venue because most of their Fons who have fled the violence back home are living as internally displaced persons in Bankim.   

The violence has forced many to flee to neighbouring Nigeria as houses, markets and other structures have been razed by the assailants. Majority of those killed including a retired Divisional Officer, Febnchak Manasis, are said to be elderly people who could not flee during the persistent attacks.