Cameroon-Info.Net understands that the blast went off as Governor Lele Lafrique Tchoffo Deben Adolphe delivered a speech at the Bamenda Commercial Avenue Grandstand were women of all walks of life turned out to celebrate the 35^th edition of the International Women’s Day.

The explosives are believed to have been planted by armed men fighting to make of Cameroon's North West and South West Regions an independent country christened Ambazonia.

“The explosion has interrupted the speech of the Governor. Two security officers were injured in the blast directly opposite the grandstand.  It is suspected that the explosives might have been planted at night by separatists,” a local attending the fete at the Bamenda ceremonial ground said.

Fire is said to have engulfed some shops opposite the Bamenda Commercial Avenue Grandstand apparently around where the explosives were planted. Elements of the Army Rescue Unit could be spotted battling the flames and security and administrative authorities ensured a return to normalcy.

This year’s Women’s Day unfolded under the theme “Promoting gender equality and protecting women’s rights by 2020: taking stock of actions engaged, setting a new course.”

Cameroon's Head of State, President Paul Biya had promised tougher days for the Non-State Armed Group. Speaking in a televised address to the nation Tuesday, December 31, 2019, President Paul Biya said the country’s military will fight in all professionalism to protect all citizens.

“For those who persist in going down the wrong road   and continue to use violence, we will have no other choice than to combat them in order to protect all our fellow citizens. Our Defence and Security Forces will, once again, perform their duty with restraint, but without weakness. I wish to reassure them of my full support and high esteem,” Biya warned.

He however agreed that without a doubt, the security situation in the North West and South West regions is one of the most urgent problems at the moment. He regretted that: “The criminal activities of armed groups continue to disrupt public, economic, and social life in these regions, yet various measures have been taken in recent months to reason with these youths, most of who have been brainwashed. They have been called upon to lay down their weapons, and social reintegration prospects have been offered them.”