Three soldiers of the Cameroonian defense and security forces were killed yesterday, May 1, in a separatist ambush in the Moungo department, Littoral region, not far from the village of Penda Mboko. A security source, who also reported the death of a civilian, said the soldiers were heading to their checkpoint when the tragedy happened.

The attackers, members of the Ambazonia People Liberation Council, took away weapons, ammunition, and military fatigues, according to photos they published on social media. Other sources in the southwest region reported that the army also neutralized at least six separatist fighters last weekend. Attacks by separatists are rare outside the Northwest and Southwest regions. However, separatists have made armed raids in the Littoral and Western regions.

According to NGOs such as the International Crisis Group, the Separatist conflict has claimed nearly 6,000 lives. The UN also counts more than 30,000 refugees in neighboring Nigeria and more than 700,000 internally displaced persons.

L.A.