Authorities in Cameroon have freed 18 people, including 12 European tourists, who were seized by armed separatists fighting for the independence of the country’s English-speaking regions.
Communications Minister Issa Tchiroma said the seven Swiss nationals and five Italians were freed from the bushes of Manyu, an administrative unit on Cameroon’s southwestern border with Nigeria, after a battle between Cameroon government troops and armed separatists.
The military further applauded the efforts of the residents who played an instrumental role in locating where the hostages were being held. The tourists were visiting a twin lake in the locality of Nguti when armed men seized their vehicle and held them hostage for several days.
Tensions started in Cameroon in 2016 when English-speaking teachers and lawyers went on strike to protest what they called the overbearing use of French.
The government says hundreds of people, including 30 policemen and soldiers have been killed this year. Embassies in Cameroon have been cautioning their nationals against traveling to the English-speaking regions.
