AFRICA

11,000 CAMEROONIANS FLEE TO CHAD OVER ETHNIC CONFLICT

11,000 CAMEROONIANS FLEE TO CHAD OVER ETHNIC CONFLICT
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By Faith Nyasuguta 

Some 11,000 people fleeing clashes between fishermen and herders in Cameroon have arrived in neighboring Chad, a Chad provincial governor has confirmed.

Some 20 people have already been killed in what local authorities dub the nation’s worst ethnic conflict in recent days.

The conflict broke out last week between herders and fishermen hailing from different ethnic groups, over an argument about holes dug by the fishermen on the ground.

“Yesterday, our social services received nearly 11,000 refugees who came with almost nothing. They don’t have bedding, a change of clothes or food,” Gayang Souare, the Chari Baguirmi province in northwestern Chad’s governor said.

“There are wounded among them who require immediate medical care and children who are without their parents,” he added.

He indicated that the local capacity and ability to provide for the refugees was overstretched.

The conflict in Cameroon’s Northern region is happening at a zone where government troops have been fighting Boko Haram for years. 

Recently, the troops have been battling rebels linked to the Islamic state.

Local authorities assert that ethnic violence is the worst they have seen in years as residents have secured weapons in recent years to combat insecurity sparked by local bandits and Boko Haram.

Cameroonians flee their country /Courtesy/
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Faith Nyasuguta

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