Visionary Reports

The Cameroon Chapter Executive signed a release to this effect on October 24

   Following the gruesome   killing of some seven school children in Kumba- South West Region of Cameroon on October 24 many more voices have been raised to put an end to the ongoing war in the English speaking regions of Cameroon.   The incident took place on Saturday morning when gun men attacked the Mother Francisca Bilingual Academy, Bamilike Street, Fiango Kumba. They shot and killed some children while in class. Six children died on the spot and the death toll is said to have risen to eight. Many more children are presently battling with their lives in hospitals within and without the South Wes regions.

This incident is one in many as the crisis persist in the North West and South West Regions of  Cameroon. Videos have gone viral on the social media of how people are maimed, women raped and their  and parts of their bodies chopped off. Kidnapping for ransom is the order of the day.

 Against this backdrop, many women groups and other organisations as well as individuals have  joined their voices to call for a cease fire. One of such is the Young African Women Congress Network  (YAWC) Cameroon. In a press statement issued on  the 24 of October 2020, same day of the event, YAWC Network Cameroon Chapter condemned  the killing of school children. The release called on conflicting parties to engage in urgent dialogue. “We therefore call on conflicting parties to engage in an urgent and genuine dialogue so as to bring to an end to this senseless war. The YAWC Network Cameroon reiterates that, no matter the circumstances, violence and retaliation can never be the solution. Children should not be used as collateral in situations of conflicts”.  Furthermore the statement, articulated that the only crime committed by the children was that they went to school which is  a fundamental human rights and further questioned  “When did the zeal to be educated become a crime that could warrant such barbaric summary execution?”.  

In effect, “the YAWC Cameroon Chapter strongly condemns such crime against humanity especially targeting children. We also urge  both parties to lay down their arms and cease fire.  Schools are supposed to be the safest place for children and not a battle ground. The YAWC Cameroon Chapter stands with the people of Kumba and  extends  heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families”. The release concluded.

By GINA ESONG