On Tuesday, officials reported that separatists in Cameroon's anglophone region, which has been plagued by years of conflict between the government and insurgents, have abducted approximately 30 women who were peacefully protesting against violence.

The insurgents, who are engaged in a struggle with government forces to establish an independent English-speaking territory in western Cameroon, have frequently been accused of targeting civilians who are perceived to be supportive of the authorities in the predominantly francophone country, which accounts for 80 percent of the population.



According to the officials, over 30 women were severely tortured and kidnapped by heavily-armed terrorists on Saturday in the village of Kedjom Keku in the Northwest region, where armed separatist groups frequently kidnap civilians, mostly for ransom.


The government typically uses the phrase "terrorists" in connection with armed insurgents from the majority-francophone country's English-speaking minority who are fighting to establish an independent homeland, known as the "Amba boys".


"Around 30 women were kidnapped by separatists (on Saturday morning) We have not found them yet," an army colonel told AFP Tuesday, on condition of anonymity.

The Ministry of Territorial Administration confirmed to AFP that there was "no news of the hostages" late Tuesday.


As reported by the local authorities, the day before, the "elderly" women had organized a "peaceful march to protest against the criminal activities of the terrorists.


They demonstrated against "monthly taxes of 10,000 CFA francs ($17) for men and 5,000 for women" levied by the insurgents, according to the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA), an NGO.

The rebels have said they levy the taxes to finance their "war effort for independence".

A video purportedly showing the kidnapped ladies was spreading on social media, but AFP was unable to independently confirm its veracity. The women can be seen lying on the ground in the footage, looking terrified.


But CHRDA referred to the clip in its statement, saying it was posted by the "Amba Boys".


Armed men say in the clip they are going to kill the women whom they accuse of "complicity with the military," according to the group, which condemned the hostage-taking as a "barbaric act".


Violent clashes erupted in late 2016, after which militants calling themselves "Amba boys" declared an independent state in the Northwest and Southwest regions, home to most of the anglophone minority.




The International Crisis Group (ICG) has reported that the protracted conflict has led to a death toll exceeding 6,000 and has forced more than a million individuals to flee their homes, resulting in widespread displacement.


Both the separatist groups and government forces have faced allegations of committing atrocities during the conflict.

Armed factions are frequently accused of kidnapping, killing, or harming civilians whom they accuse of "collaborating" with the Cameroonian authorities.

Various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the United Nations (UN) have accused the government of suppressing dissent in the English-speaking regions and employing harsh measures against political opponents.