Cameroon: Calm Returns to Ngaoundal After Deadly Clashes Between Bororo and Gbaya Communities
The roots of the conflict are still sketchy, but initial reports indicate that it started with a dispute between Bororo and Gbaya teenagers from neighbouring villages, separated only by a small river.Ā
Some calm is returning to the town of Ngaoundal in the Adamawa Region of Cameroon after several days of deadly clashes between the Bororo and Gbaya communities. The communal battle had resulted in the deaths of two persons, with four others seriously injured and two villages razed to the ground.
The relative calm follows a peace mission by Roger Saffo, the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) in the Djerem township. He called on the two communities to maintain the peaceful coexistence that has characterised their relations over the years and to lay down their arms.
A traditional ruler who accompanied the senior official to broker peace on Tuesday, Feb. 4, said several people suspected of being behind the clashes are currently detained in the Tibati area of Djerem.
The roots of the conflict are still murky, but initial reports indicate that it started with a dispute between Bororo and Gbaya teenagers from neighbouring villages, separated only by a small river. The situation quickly spiralled out of control as adults got involved, leading to violent clashes. The severity of the conflict is evident in the charred remains of burned huts and the use of deadly bladed weapons by both sides, as seen in disturbing footage.
āThe attention of some adults was drawn to the site of the incident but instead of settling the differences peacefully, the adults from the two communities rather supported the sides of their youths thus leading to fighting involving the use of cutlasses, spears and other deadly local weapons,ā an eyewitness told HumAngle.
A committee comprising members from the two communities, the administration, and the law enforcement agents was established to ensure that the peace that has now been restored remains.
āThese communities have always lived in peace and harmony. That is why we are finding it difficult to understand the reason for the clashes. We hope an investigation would throw more light on the issue,ā another local witness said.
Calm is returning to Ngaoundal in Cameroon's Adamawa Region after deadly clashes between Bororo and Gbaya communities resulted in two deaths, four injuries, and two villages burned. The conflict emerged following a dispute between teenagers, escalating as adults became involved, using bladed weapons in the violence. Authorities have detained several suspects and established a committee with community and law enforcement to maintain peace.
An investigation is hoped to clarify the underlying causes of the conflict, as these communities have traditionally coexisted peacefully.
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