Southern Cameroons Defence Forces
LeadersEbenezer Akwanga[1][2]
Dates of operation2017 – present
Active regionsMeme and Fako
IdeologyAmbazonian separatism
Sizec. 400–500 (2019)[2]
Part of Ambazonia
Opponents Cameroon
Battles and warsAnglophone Crisis

The Southern Cameroons Defence Forces (commonly referred to as SOCADEF) is the armed wing of the African People's Liberation Movement, an Ambazonian separatist movement. It is led by Ebenezer Akwanga,[3] who is based in the United States,[4] Together with the Ambazonia Defence Forces, it was one of the most prominent militias fighting in the early Anglophone Crisis.[1] It is mainly active in Meme[5] and Fako.[6]

History

By 2019, SOCADEF claimed that it had 3,500 troops, though the International Crisis Group argued that the militia had at most 500 active armed members.[2] The militia made some headlines in March 2020 when it declared a two-week ceasefire to give people time to get tested for coronavirus.[7]

After suffering major losses in inter-rebel clashes with the Fako Mountain Lions in June 2021,[6][8] SOCADEF was rumored to have disbanded. In reality, the militia went underground for several months while acquiring better weapons and a new leadership.[8] In October 2021, SOCADEF launched "Operation No Rest For You", targeting Cameroonian troops at Ikiliwindi and reportedly killing nine.[9] In July 2022, rebels under "General Transporter" carried out another attack against security forces at Ikiliwindi; at the time, General Transporter was reportedly loyal to SOCADEF.[10]

Organization

Though Ebenezer Akwanga has served as SOCADEF's head since its foundation, he was living in exile; thus, the group had a series of ground forces commanders who led the troops in the warzone. By 2018, the militia's chief frontline officer was "General Molua C",[5] later replaced by "General" Andrew Ngoe.[11] On January 24, 2019, General Andrew Ngoe was killed in Matoh, Mbonge, leaving Nsom Hilary (alias "General Opobo") in charge.[11][6] After General Opobo's death at the hands of rival separatists in June 2021, "General Jason" became SOCADEF's new commander.[8]

SOCADEF has not joined the Ambazonia Self-Defence Council, an umbrella organization created by the Interim Government. However, its political wing, the African People's Liberation Movement (APLM), took part in forming the Southern Cameroons Liberation Council in March 2019, effectively uniting with the Interim Government under an umbrella organization.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 Who are Cameroon's English-speaking separatists?, Daily Nation, Feb 20, 2018. Accessed Apr 22, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Cameroon’s Anglophone Crisis: How to Get to Talks?, Crisis Group, May 2, 2019. Accessed May 2, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Au Cameroun anglophone, de nombreuses divisions fragmentent les séparatistes". L'Express. 19 February 2018. Retrieved 2019-06-04.
  4. ↑ Cameroon: Tumi’s AGC begins consulting with Ambazonia separatists, Journal du Cameroun, Feb 4, 2019. Accessed Mar 10, 2019.
  5. 1 2 HRW 2018, pp. 20–21.
  6. 1 2 3 Mark Bareta (30 June 2021). "Breaking News – "general Opopo" of SOCADEF killed by Sako's Mountain Lion". Bareta News. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  7. ↑ Cameroon rebels declare coronavirus ceasefire, BBC, Mar 26, 2020. Accessed Mar 27, 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 SOCADEF of Matoh introduces new General and recruits armed with sophisticated weapons, Mimi Mefo Infos, Sep 19, 2021. Accessed Sep 21, 2021.
  9. ↑ "SOCADEF claims responsibility for Ikiliwindi Attack on Military". Mimi Mefo Infos. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  10. ↑ David Atangana (26 July 2022). "Soldiers kill four, injure civilians in Ikiliwindi". Mimi Mefo Info. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  11. 1 2 Cameroon: 'Ambazonia General' killed in Matoh, Journal du Cameroun, Jan 24, 2019. Accessed Jan 24, 2019.
  12. ↑ Federalists Meet Restorationists, Which Group Will Perform The Osmosis?, Cameroon News Agency, Mar 29, 2019. Accessed Apr 10, 2019.

Works cited

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