Cameroon Anglophone Students Now daily Victims and Targets of the Deepening Liberation war by Both Separatists and Republican forces

Teacher Trade Unions Describe Cameroon Anglophone Regions and schools As Dangerous Human Abattoir

Five Teacher Trade Unions have condemned in strong terms the killings of pupils, students and teachers in the Anglophone Regions of Cameroon where an armed conflict is currently going on. In a recent public statement, the trade unionists describe the two Anglophone Regions as the "most dangerous human abattoir in the world."

The release states: "We, members of the Teacher Trade Unions and our partners ... note with dismay and dissatisfaction the wanton desecration and destruction of human life especially of pupils, students and teachers simply desirous of respecting the 'education for all' sustainable development goal of the UNO in a community once an island of peace in a turbulent mainland, but today one of the most dangerous human abattoir in the world."

The release condemns the killings in these words: "We strongly condemn the recent incomprehensible killings in Buea and Bamenda of Enondiale Tchuengia Carolaise and Tataw Bandy on their way to and from school respectively. We pray God to grant eternal rest to these little ones whose lives were abruptly cut short in such a callous manner ..."

With regards to the careless use of firearms, the release states: "We equally strongly denounce the unrestrained use of firearms in our towns and villages by both government security operatives and armed groups, which has heightened uncertainty and insecurity in these places to alarming levels as well as the wanton and callous use of IEDs  even in school and university campuses, with resultant untold  psychological, physical and tragic consequences. We promptly call on all belligerents to exercise caution and restraint and to always have and show consideration for the beleaguered, battered and depressed masses."

Strong and Urgent Appeal

The Teacher Trade Unions make an appeal thus: "... pupils, students, teachers and parents cannot and should not be persecuted and subjected to pain, fear, uncertainty and death in their quest to acquire and/or provide education which is a fundamental right to be promoted, procured, cherished, continually developed and preserved especially for posterity."

Against School Boycott/Shutdown

The Teacher Trade Unions take a stand against school shutdown. "We unequivocally denounce any gratuitous calls for schools to shut down or lockdown, and piously request for a reversal of such decision."

It is worth noting that the five Teacher Trade Unions are CATTU, PEATTU, CEWOTU, BATTUC and TAC.

By Jeff Ngawe

Post Script

Disturbing signals reaching Jeffman News are pointing to the fact that some three students are feared dead and a teacher critically wounded when Government Bilingual High School, Ekondo Titi, Ndian division, South West Region, was attacked by gunmen on November 24 2021 in the early morning. According to sketchy reports reaching our newsroom as we were going to press, several other students were injured in the attack where explosives were also used.