Cameroonian Separatist Leader Arrested in Norway for Role in Ongoing Conflict

Lucas Ayaba Cho, a prominent leader of the Cameroonian separatist movement, was arrested in Norway on Tuesday for his alleged involvement in the violent conflict raging in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions. His lawyer confirmed that the charges stemmed from Cho’s statements and actions shared on social media platforms. Cho, who heads the Ambazonia Governing Council (AGovC) and commands its military wing, the Ambazonian Defence Forces (ADF), is a key figure in the ongoing separatist struggle for independence in Cameroon. The conflict, which began in 2016, has resulted in the deaths of over 6,000 people and displaced nearly a million more. The fighting centers around grievances from the country’s English-speaking provinces, where many believe they face systemic discrimination by the French-speaking majority. According to the Norwegian authorities, the arrest of Cho was part of a broader investigation into his role in the conflict. "We are in an early phase of the investigation, and there are several investigative steps that remain," said Anette Berger, a Norwegian prosecutor. The arrest may lead to Cho’s extradition to Cameroon, given the security cooperation agreement between Norway and Cameroon, a Cameroonian official told the BBC.

Cho’s actions and leadership have sparked intense controversy over the years. He is known for his uncompromising stance on independence and has been involved in coordinating boycotts, including a recent two-week lockdown aimed at keeping schools in the North-West region closed. His Ambazonia Governing Council has also imposed a “liberation tax” on people living in the Anglophone regions, compelling them to contribute financially to the separatist cause. However, Cho’s movement has not been without criticism, particularly following recent incidents involving the ADF’s targeting of taxi drivers in the North-West region. Separatist fighters ordered drivers to repaint their taxis from yellow to white and blue—the colors of the Ambazonian flag—and those who refused faced violent reprisals, with some vehicles set ablaze. Amnesty International has reported widespread abuses committed by both the Cameroonian government forces and the armed separatists, including killings, rapes, and torture of civilians, adding to the complexities of the conflict. The arrest of Cho marks a significant development, with human rights groups and legal representatives welcoming the move. Emmanuel Nsahlai, a US-based lawyer representing victims of the Anglophone crisis, called it a "significant victory" for those affected by the violence. "This arrest marks a critical step in holding him accountable for his actions and bringing justice to the victims of his violence," Nsahlai stated.

Cho is not the first separatist leader to be arrested abroad in connection with the violence in Cameroon. In 2018, Julius Sisiku Ayuk Tabe, another influential Anglophone separatist leader, was arrested in Nigeria along with 46 others and later extradited to Cameroon, where they were tried and sentenced. Cho’s arrest underscores the Cameroonian government’s ongoing efforts to crack down on separatist leaders operating from foreign countries. Since the outbreak of the conflict, the government has consistently pressured foreign governments to repatriate separatist figures for trial, in hopes of weakening the movement that has fueled the violence in Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions. As investigations into Cho’s role in the conflict continue, many are watching to see whether his extradition to Cameroon will take place and what impact it may have on the broader separatist movement and the ongoing conflict. The arrest of such a high-profile figure could serve as a pivotal moment in the struggle for control over the Anglophone regions of Cameroon, though the path to resolution remains fraught with challenges and ongoing violence. ⚡ ImageCredit: GettyImages