Massacre of primary school pupils in Cameroon

Following a massacre of primary school pupils in the Anglophone region of Cameroon, Lord Alton is calling on the UK to press the Cameroon authorities to provide protection at schools throughout the conflict zone. At least eight children were killed in the attack on Mother Francisca International Academy in Kumba this morning, Saturday 24 October. It is believed that armed secessionist extremists were responsible. Many more children have been gravely injured.

The government of Cameroon recently pressed schools to resume classes following four years of boycotts in the Anglophone regions. However, despite signing the international Safe Schools Declaration, the Yaounde authorities failed to provide protection to schools answering its call to return to the classroom.

Armed militia demanding secession from the Francophone-dominated central African nation have attacked institutions which no longer obey its instructions to close all schools and businesses. After four years during which an estimated 800,000 children missed out on education, many schools re-opened in September. The secessionist extremists have threatened teachers, religious leaders, health workers and others who it accuses of siding with the French-speaking authorities in the capital, Yaounde.

Lord Alton told ICN: "The government of Cameroon insists it has nearly eliminated the secessionist extremists, but the attack in Kumba shows this is far from the case. The need for a ceasefire and a negotiated constitutional settlement has never been greater. As the former colonial power in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon, the UK must actively push Yaounde to engage in inclusive talks to end this insecurity."

An Anglophone parent who wishes to remain anonymous for his own safety, spoke to ICN of how joyful he felt, watching children go to school in their smart uniforms, after four years when they were denied education. Now, he said, his joy has turned to horror. Like the majority of unarmed civilians, he said he wanted the Yaounde authorities to declare a ceasefire and to commit to a formal declaration to seek a negotiated settlement. The Cameroonian government maintains it has all but won its military campaign against Anglophone separatists, and that last year's Major National Dialogue conference, at which few Anglophone groups were present, addressed all concerns.

Last month, Bishop Declan Lang of Clifton and Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth called on the UK authorities to respond to the deteriorating security situation in Cameroon. To date, the British government has urged all sides to observe international humanitarian law and to seek a peaceful solution.