Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Huge Numbers of Cameroonians Fleeing Separatist Crisis Return Home

Moki Edwin Kindzeka

   BUEA, CAMEROON - Large numbers of English-speaking Cameroonians who
   fled the separatist crisis that has killed more than 3,000 people in
   three years have been returning to their homes to celebrate the
   Christmas and New Year holidays. Their return however is limited to
   major English-speaking towns as their villages remain battle grounds
   for separatist fighters and the military.

   About 300 Christians sing Christmas carols at the Roman Catholic Church
   in the English-speaking southwestern town of Kumba during this year's
   holiday. It is the first time in three years that the church has seen
   such a crowd of worshipers. Last year barely 70 attended the Christmas
   day church service here.

   Among the Christians who have just returned to the town is 50-year-old
   business man Divine Ekale. Ekale escaped to the nearby French-speaking
   town of Douala with his wife and four children in December 2017, when
   clashes between the military and separatist fighters killed 13 people.
   He said he has decided to return because he and his family can not
   continue to rely on gifts from well-wishes for survival when they can
   return to Kumba and run their family jewelry shop business.

   "The effects of the crisis have been devastating. It is time to rise
   and turn our backs on the crisis. Our Division [administrative area]
   needs to move ahead, our children need to go to school," he said.

   Ekale said he was abducted in December 2017 by the fighters who accused
   him of collaborating with the military by revealing information on the
   separatists hideouts. His family paid a ransom of more than $2000
   before he was released.

.