The statement from the organisation run by Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor aka Agbor Balla said “CHRDA is stunned by the shocking images of attacks that marred International Women’s Day celebrations in Bamenda, capital of the North West Region on March 8, 2020.”

The statement furthered: “At the ceremonial ground, a locally made explosive is said to have detonated, causing very severe injuries to about eight soldiers of the state defence and security forces and burning down several shops around the Commercial Avenue neighbourhood in Bamenda. This explosion is alleged to have been perpetuated by armed separatist fighters, in an attempt to disrupt the International Women’s Day celebration amidst previous warnings against the celebration by instituting a ghost town prior to the celebration.”

The CHRDA recalled that before the attack at the Bamenda Grandstand, “a similar and barbaric attack had taken place on the night of March 7, 2020 at a locality in the Bamboutous Division of the West region called Galim. This attack is alleged to have been carried out by armed separatist fighters who crossed over from Ngokentunjia Division in the North West Region to attack in Galim.”

This attack in Galim was double as a gendarmerie and police posts were attacked, CHRDA stated. “At the police station in Galim, 2 police men were killed and 4 civilians, while at the gendarmerie brigade 2 female gendarmes were killed. On photos making rounds on social media, armed separatist fighters in Ngokentunjia Division are seen displaying ammunition, several assault type riffles alleged to have been taken away from these two stations attacked in Galim.”

Troubled by the atrocities of the members of the Non-State Armed Group fighting for the independence of a country they call Ambazonia, Agbor Balla’s CHRDA warned that such gruesome acts of violence contravene International Human Rights Law.

"CHRDA strongly condemns these gruesome acts of violence as they violate International Human rights law. We also reiterate the fact that human life is very sacrosanct and must be protected and protected at all cost. Any attack whether on a combatant or unarmed civilian is condemned as they both have the right to life, moral and physical integrity.

“We therefore urge both sides to find a peaceful solution that will bring a lasting solution and Peace to this crisis that has taken over 3000 lives since 2016 in the Anglophone section of the country,” said CHRDA.

Indeed, Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Atanga Nji Paul said on Monday that seven soldiers were injured in the Bamenda bombing, while eight lives were lost in Galim. He went on to condemn the international community for its suspicious silence toward the atrocious acts of separatists.

His words: “On Saturday 7th breaking Sunday 8th March 2020, terrorists attacked a Police Station and a Gendarmerie Brigade in Galim, Bamboutos Division, West Region, killing two policemen, two female gendarmes and four civilians. On March 8, 2020, seven of our brave security and defence forces assigned to protect women during the International Women’s Day activities in Bamenda were seriously injured in a planned terrorist attack targeting women. Two well-known terrorists, Ayaba Cho and Tapang Ivo living in total impunity abroad and in friendly countries have claimed responsibility for these attacks.”