Seven soldiers were killed on Friday in a roadside bomb attack near the town of Malende in southwestern Cameroon, with the Fako Unity Warriors, an English-speaking separatist group, claiming responsibility.
Local media reported that the military patrol was targeted while conducting routine operations to search for improvised explosive devices.
The Cameroon News Agency confirmed the deaths but said the military had not issued an official statement and did not respond to requests for comment.
The attack underscores the ongoing instability in Cameroon’s western regions, which have been affected by a separatist rebellion since 2017.
English-speaking groups, including the Fako Unity Warriors and the Ambazonia Defense Forces, have sought to create an independent state in the Anglophone regions of the country, citing marginalisation by the French-speaking majority.
What began as peaceful protests by teachers and lawyers escalated into a violent conflict after a government crackdown. Over the past eight years, the International Crisis Group estimates that more than 6,000 people have been killed and over 600,000 displaced.
While the frequency of deadly attacks has declined in recent years, the crisis shows little sign of resolution. Peace talks mediated by international actors have repeatedly stalled, with both sides accusing the other of acting in bad faith.
Friday’s attack coincided with developments abroad, as federal authorities in Minnesota, USA, indicted two leaders of the Ambazonia Defense Forces.
According to the indictment, the commanders, both naturalized U.S. citizens, allegedly financed and ordered fighters in Cameroon to carry out bombings, executions, and kidnappings while residing in the United States.
The incident highlights the enduring reach of the separatist networks and the complexity of the Ambazonia crisis, which continues to destabilize southwestern Cameroon despite years of military operations and international mediation efforts.
The situation remains tense, and local communities continue to live under the constant threat of violence, with the government and separatist groups yet to agree on a sustainable path to peace.
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