Bamenda-Bali road
Cars have been unable to ply the 19km Bamenda-Bali road for over a month now. This follows the killing of five policemen at a control post in Bali on July 18th, 2021.
The death of these officers led to a ban on the circulation of motorbikes in Bali subdivision by the SDO of Mezam, Simon Emile Mooh. A day later, Separatists fighters imposed a ban on the circulation of cars.
Remains of the police car attacked on July 18
To enforce their ban, the separatist fighters mounted road blocks and at times very close to security checkpoints.
For seven days, 153 men have moved from Chomba to Mbossa in Bali tracking down fighters and ensuring the safety of the highway that links Bamenda to West Africa.
According to the commander of the troops, Major Boliong Vincent, Amba general Fobert was killed at the entrance to Chomba while Gabila Nyamba was killed in Bali. These two are amongst the six who lost their lives in the process. The two Amba generals were noted for the production of improvised explosive devices, IEDs.
General Nka Valere congratulating the troops
In a word of congratulations to the troops, the Commander of the 5th Joint military region, Brigadier General Nka Valere noted that the operations in Bali and other Hotspots in the region will continue and stated emphatically that the population must collaborate with the defense and security forces.
He also noted that Amba general Okoro who attacked and killed two Gendames in Zavion, Bamboutous Division of the West Region has been tracked and killed in Pinyin, Santa subdivision.
In his report to the military top command of the 5th Joint military region and 5th Gendamerie region, Major Boliong decried the unavailability of the people to collaborate with them to attain their objectives.
Here, Brigadier General Ekongwese Divine remarked that the road being opened is for the population and they must shun fear and ply the road noting that security dispositions have all been put in place.
"The roads are open but the users are afraid to ply because they're afraid of terrorists actions. The roads are secured. The population and road users should conquer fear and like in other places of the region, stand as one to stop terrorists activities" General Ekongwese said.
No fewer than two tourist vehicles and a truck were seen on the highway while a majority of people on the road were either trekking with luggages on their heads or moving around on bicycles.
But for the highway, shops are opened in Bali with goods of basic necessity witnessing an increase in prices. A bag is transported from Bamenda to Bali with the use of hand push trucks at 1000 frs. Half the fare from Bamenda to Bali before the crisis.
General Ekongwese Divine concluded by reminding parents that these are their children and they cannot raise them to become monsters to the society as some 20,000 jobs have been left hanging since business people who use the Bamenda-Mamfe-Ekok corridor have been left to idle.
By
Ndi Tsembom Elvis
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