Cameroon gov’t downplays Shekau video

The Cameroonian authorities on Tuesday downplayed the statements made by the leader of the Nigerian terror sect, Abubakar Shekau in a recent unauthenticated video in which he seems to predict his end.Reacting to the footage, the Minister of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo declared on national television CRTV: We do not pay importance to Shekau’s video.

He insisted, Cameroon will not be distracted by such statements, before reassuring citizens that the war against Boko Haram will continue.

In a video posted on YouTube Thursday, the Boko Haram leader told his fighters in Arabic that they can say goodbye to their illusory Islamic state and disarm.

Shekau’s poor quality video, in which he appeared weak with an emaciated face, seemed to herald the end of the sect.

For me, the end is nigh. May Allah protect us from evil, I thank my creator, he declared in Hausa and Arabic.

Despite some sporadic raids in Cameroon, Niger and Chad, Boko Haram’s capacity has significantly diminished.

The group is also faltering in Nigeria, where its fighters have suffered a series of setbacks in recent months thanks to the Joint Multinational Force (FMM) and the armies of Cameroon and Chad.