Bamenda businesses and residents caught in extortion crossfire
By Wilson Musa
Bamenda, Cameroon ( CNA) – Businesses and residents in Bamenda are facing a growing crisis as they find themselves caught in a dangerous crossfire between armed groups and security forces. A complex web of extortion, violence, and government inaction has created a climate of fear and uncertainty in the region.
Taxi drivers have been particularly hard hit. Arbitrary changes to vehicle color schemes by Separatists have led to increased harassment and extortion at checkpoints. Many drivers have opted to remove the mandated yellow color, only to face new challenges from both security forces and armed groups. “It’s a no-win situation,” said one taxi driver, who requested anonymity. “We are caught between a rock and a hard place.”
Beyond the transportation sector, businesses of all sizes are grappling with the economic consequences of extortion. Shop owners and entrepreneurs alike describe a climate of fear, where paying protection money to armed groups is seen as a necessary evil to stay operational. “We are forced to choose between paying these criminals or closing down our businesses,” said a local shop owner.
The role of security forces in the crisis is equally concerning. While their primary duty is to protect citizens, allegations of collusion with armed groups and involvement in extortion have eroded public trust. The imposition of multiple checkpoints, often without clear justification, has added to the burden on commuters and businesses.
The inaction of local authorities, particularly the Bamenda city mayor, has further exacerbated the situation. Residents complain of a lack of leadership and a failure to address the pressing issues facing the community.
As the crisis deepens, the human cost is becoming increasingly apparent. Businesses are closing, jobs are being lost, and the overall quality of life is deteriorating. The psychological impact on residents, who live in constant fear of violence and extortion, cannot be overstated.
Unless urgent steps are taken to address the root causes of the problem, the situation in Bamenda is likely to worsen, with far-reaching consequences for the region and the country as a whole.
A recent case has left many fearing for their safety after a shop owner was forced to pay “liberation taxes” by Separatists. Another group of people came and asked for his receipt, but when he showed them, they left with it and came back as Policemen to arrest him. He was allegedly forced to pay XAF 1,000,000, an information CNA could not independently verify its veracity.
