Armed conflict in NW, SW: Population bearing brunt of lockdown as ‘struggle’ stalls.

Streets in Anglophone towns like Mezam, Boyo, Momo, Menchum, Ngoketunjia and Bui in the North West Region and Meme, Ndian, Lebialem and parts of Manyu, in the South West Region, have been deserted, as the population stays indoors, despite calls from some diaspora-based separatist leaders denouncing the lockdown. 

Most public offices, markets, as well as other business and leisure spots in these areas remain closed. 

The situation is expected to remain as such for at least two weeks, when the separatist-imposed embargo on such activities will expire. The population is living uncertain days.

The two-week lockdown, imposed by separatists, is aimed at frustrating the effective resumption of schools across the English-speaking Regions for the 2023/2024 academic year. 

Since the Anglophone crisis, which morphed into an armed conflict in 2017, separatists have been using ghost towns and lockdowns as part of the ‘struggle’ to achieve their independence dream.

But analysts have been saying the persistent lockdowns are becoming more and more counterproductive on the population as they bear the brunt, while the so-called struggle has stalled. The lockdowns have only been having negative kickbacks on the already suffering population.

It will be recalled that the populations of the two crisis-hit Regions, during lockdown periods, are barely at the mercy of God. 

The lockdowns have been receiving catcalls and condemnations from across the board, as right-thinking Cameroonians say they are not in the best interest of the people, who have been bearing the brunt of the armed conflict for over six years now. 

The same analysts have postulated that actions towards the wellbeing of Anglophone population should be made on the basis of empathy and not compounding the situation of an already vulnerable people.

The lockdowns, many observers say, have only helped in further drowning the population in pain and agony.

As the lockdowns persist, businessmen and women, already impoverished by the seven-year crisis, are facing downturn in their business activities. 

This is because vehicles, both private and public, are not allowed to circulate during the lockdown periods. Sick persons in need of medical attention cannot be taken to the hospital. Because of this, many have lost their lives. Some women have been forced to give birth at home, under life-threatening conditions. Some have died in the process. 

It is for this reason that many right-thinking Cameroonians have been questioning the raison d’etre of lockdowns and how it improves a ‘struggle’ that is limping. Analysts are also questioning why separatists, who claim to be ‘liberators’ are further impoverishing the population they claim to be fighting for, by imposing lockdowns on them. 

Price hikes

It should be noted that during periods of lockdowns in the North West and South West Regions, as the population lives in fear, with some supplies being cut off from the Regions and some sales points closed, basic commodities and food stuff often witness not only scarcity but price hikes. 

Foodstuffs like rice, salt and sugar are often sold in some areas for almost double the price, while prices of products like fresh fish, meat and tomatoes, which are harder to find, are determined solely by shopkeepers. 

All these are at the detriment of the common man, whom the separatists claim to be struggling to liberate. 

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