CAR armed groups intensify attacks in eastern Cameroon

Several armed groups from the Central African Republic (CAR) have recently been intensifying their incursions into neighboring Cameroonian territory where they carried out forced disappearances, assaults and thefts.

According to security sources, the Cameroonian armed forces have foiled over the week-end criminal acts following the abductions last week of a dozen people by armed groups in the city of Garoua-Boulai in the eastern part of Cameroon.

The armed groups have taken advantage of the fact that Cameroon has currently focused its security efforts in the northern part of the country to flush out members of the Nigeria-based extremist sect Boko Haram which make regular incursions into Cameroonian territory.

In reaction, the Cameroonian head of state Paul Biya has instructed the military command to reinforce its presence in Bertoua in a bid to rein in the infiltration from neighboring CAR.

A week after the abduction of fifteen Cameroonian citizens by CAR rebels, the authorities in Yaounde in cooperation with their counterparts in the CAR and humanitarian organizations have stepped up action efforts to get the hostages freed.