Video shows Cameroon separatists with decapitated policeman — Amnesty

LIBREVILLE: Amnesty International said yesterday it has authenticated a video showing English-speaking separatists in Cameroon with the decapitated head of a policeman, and condemned a “horrific escalation of violence” in the anglophone regions.

The video showed the policeman’s head, with bruises on it, on blood-soaked white cloth with what “could be his genitalia” placed nearby, the rights group said in a statement.

It said its forensic experts had authenticated the clip, as well as another believed to be continuation of the first, in which a voice can heard saying that the separatists had taken the officer’s rifle.

Amnesty International said it was not able to independently confirm the exact location where the videos were shot, but analysis suggests it might be in the area of Belo, in the North-West region.

Separatist unrest in Cameroon’s two minority English-speaking regions — North-West and SouthWest — has left hundreds dead and displaced about 200,000 people since late 2016.

Years of resentment at perceived discrimination at the hands of Cameroon’s majority French speakers have led to almost daily acts of violence and retribution, triggering an army crackdown.

“The brutal attacks against ordinary people and security forces are further proof of the horrific escalation of violence in Cameroon’s anglophone regions,” Amnesty said.