Over 30 women held hostage by Cameroonian rebels released
More than 30 women kidnapped by separatist rebels for protesting illegal taxes imposed on them have been released, the federal government stated Friday.
The women have been taken earlier this month from Babanki, a farming village within the Northwest Region, alongside the border with Nigeria.
“We have taken the women to hospitals where they are being treated for injuries and supported psychosocially,” stated Simon Emil Mooh, a neighborhood authorities official.
MORE THAN 30 WOMEN IN CAMEROON ABDUCTED BY SEPARATIST FIGHTERS
The separatists have been amassing month-to-month funds from youngsters, women and males, imposing taxes on {couples} earlier than they acquired married, and forcing households to pay $1,000 to bury their kinfolk, he stated.
Separatist rebels have released over 30 women they took hostage from a northwest Cameroonian village. (Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
The Central African nation has been plagued by fighting since English-speaking separatists launched a rise up in 2017, with the acknowledged aim of breaking away from the world dominated by the French-speaking majority and organising an unbiased, English-speaking state.
The authorities has accused the separatists of committing atrocities towards English-speaking civilians. The battle has killed greater than 6,000 folks and displaced greater than 760,000 others, in accordance with the International Crisis Group.
WESTERN CAMEROON GUNMEN ABDUCT AT LEAST 25 PEOPLE
Some of the women released informed The Associated Press that they have been tortured whereas in captivity.
“The separatist fighters beat me with their guns after stripped me naked,” Vubom Elizabeth informed the AP by cellphone on Friday from the hospital the place she was being handled. The rebels broke her left leg and arm, she stated.
Separatist chief Capo Daniel stated the women have been freed after promising to cease protesting, however warned that folks would proceed to be punished in the event that they proceed.
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The governor of Cameroon’s Northwest Region, Deben Tchoffo, known as on the collaboration of communities to cease the atrocities and stated the federal government will do what it takes to guard the women from separatist brutality.