“The Embassy advises U.S. citizens that demonstrations continue in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon.  As of this notice, the Government of Cameroon has suspended cell phone and internet service in the Northwest and Southwest Regions.  U.S. citizens in these areas should exercise caution and find alternate ways of keeping in touch with family and friends” a statement from the US Embassy in Yaounde reads in part.

In the message to US citizens issued on February 14, the embassy points out that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. US citizens in Cameroon, are urged, in the statement, to avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.

“Review your personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, be aware of local events and monitor local news stations for updates.  Maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security and follow the instructions of local authorities.” it says.

While the US embassy’s statement seem to corroborate reports that hundreds of people are beng rounded up in the anglopphone regions on a daily basis and taken to unknown locations.

The outlawed Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium in a statement yesterday, suggested the government of Cameroon is contradicting the US embassies statement. In a message signed by iits leaders, Tassang Wilfred, Mark Bara and Tapang Ivo and widely published on social media on February 15, the Biya regime is accused of lying that the demonstrations are over.

This according to the protest leaders, is an attempt by government to block a United Nations fact finding mission from coming to Cameroon for investigations. They attempt to justify their claims with the resurfacing the dissolved ad hoc committee that was set up by Prime Minister Philemon Yang to identify and solve the problems raised by teachers in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon. The chairman of the committee, Prof. Paul Ghogomu announced earlier in January that the committee’s mission had ended, but he resurfaced this third week of February in a press conference to speak on behalf of the committee.