Cameroon Conflict: Ambazonian Rebels Burn Taxis in Bamenda, Clash in Buea

In Bamenda, on the evening of August 14, armed Ambazonian rebels set ablaze five taxis at the Citizen fuel station on Che Street, Ntarinkon. The attackers reportedly fired gunshots into the air before torching the vehicles. According to eyewitnesses, by the time local residents arrived to extinguish the flames, two taxis had already burned to ashes while three others were salvaged from the worst of the fire.

The attack was part of a broader campaign by Ambazonian rebels to enforce a controversial mandate requiring taxis in the region to change their color, an effort to distinguish vehicles under rebel control from those affiliated with the Cameroonian government. Many taxi operators have resisted the mandate due to the financial burden it imposes, and the arson attack has left drivers in despair. "This taxi was my only means of survival," said one driver whose vehicle was destroyed. "Now I don't know how to provide for my family."

The incident has compounded the economic difficulties faced by the Anglophone population, who are already grappling with poverty and the long-running conflict between Ambazonian rebels and government forces. The color-change mandate is seen by many as yet another imposition that exacerbates the hardships in the region.

Meanwhile, in Buea, the capital of the Southwest region, gunfire erupted on the same day at the Muea Slaughterhouse, as Ambazonian rebels reportedly ambushed government troops. According to unconfirmed reports, multiple soldiers were killed during the daylight attack, though official figures have yet to be released. Ambazonian activist Mark Bareta confirmed the attack, noting that it was part of a larger plan for coordinated operations by rebel forces in the coming days.

These incidents underscore the growing volatility in Cameroon’s Northwest and Southwest regions, where Ambazonian rebels have been pushing for the creation of an independent state called Ambazonia. The conflict, now in its seventh year, has claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of people, creating a humanitarian crisis in the Anglophone areas.

As peace talks remain stalled, and with both sides showing little sign of backing down, the prospects for resolution appear increasingly bleak. Residents of Bamenda, Buea, and surrounding areas remain trapped in a precarious situation, as they struggle to navigate the dangers of daily life amidst a seemingly intractable conflict.

The destruction of property and continued loss of lives have left many questioning the future of the region, while the lack of intervention from the government fuels growing discontent. As the crisis drags on, the people of the Anglophone regions remain caught in the crossfire, with no clear end in sight.