Far North: IDPs return to build their homes

The men, women and children are all Cameroonians who fled their homes in Maga over 8 months ago and sought refuge in Bogo, Chad during the Arabes Choa- Mousgoum deadly chash in the Far North region of Cameroon.

453 of them in total, have received construction equipment to enable them set up makeshift homes while struggling to get back to their lives in their villages. These are gifts from the UNHCR as part of its project in aiding Internally displaced persons.

In August and December 2021, a clash broke out between the Arabes Choa nomads and Mousgoum indigenes over the exploitation of a river. The Mousgoum, fishermen, accused the nomads of poorly using the river which served as a fish pond for them. Tension rose and clashes led to the deaths of 67 persons as per official figures, while over 5000 others fled for safety.

Despite calls for peace from local and administrative authorities, many still fear for their lives and are skeptical about returning home.