U.S. government warns Nigeria, Cameroon on Anglophone detainees

macfranc007 February 06, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Jerrywright Ukwu

- The United States Government has spoken on the arrest of 47 Anglophone detainees in Nigeria

- The detainees have since been deported to Cameroon

- The U.S urged both countries to refrain from embarking on forceful repatriation of asylum-seekers

The U.S. Government has asked the Nigerian and Cameroonian authorities to respect the human rights of the 47 Anglophone detainees and follow due process in the handling of their matter.

U.S. Department of State, in a statement by Ms Heather Nauert, the Department spokesperson, also urged the two countries to refrain from embarking on forceful repatriation of asylum-seekers.

U.S. tasks Nigeria, Cameroon on Anglophone detainees

Presidents Buhari and Biya urged to respect the human rights of the detainees. Photo credit: Aso Rock

“We also call on the government of Cameroon to respect the human rights, including due process, of the 47 Cameroonians forcibly returned from Nigerian custody to the Cameroonian authorities on January 26.

“This is in addition to many of whom had reportedly submitted asylum claims in Nigeria.

“We urge the governments of Cameroon and Nigeria to adhere to their obligations under international law to refrain from forcible returns to asylum-seekers back to their countries of origin.

“The 47 Cameroonians are now held in detention in Cameroon allegedly in connection with tension and violence in North-west and South-west regions.

“We expect the government of Cameroon to afford these and other individuals previously detained all the rights and protections enshrined in Cameroon’s constitution, consistent with the nation’s international obligations and commitments,” the statement said.

The U.S. condemned the ongoing violence in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions, including the murder of two Cameroonian gendarmes in the North-west region village of Mbingo.

The U.S. authority also condemned the murder of a Cameroonian soldier outside of Bamenda on Thursday, February 1, and an electoral official of Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) in Bangem.

The U.S. further condemned the reported deaths of four civilians in Bemenda and Belo on Friday, February 2 and Saturday, February 3.

“We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and to the people of Cameroon,” it said. (NAN)

Meanwhile, the United Nations has expressed concerns about the swelling numbers of people fleeing English-speaking areas of Cameroon for Nigeria, saying it is particularly worried over safety of women and children.

William Spindler, spokesman for the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), decried the precarious situation of women and children, which made up about 80 percent of the approximately 10,000 registered refugees in Nigeria’s Cross River.

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