UN chief condemns student abductions in north-west Cameroon
Photo credits: UNICEF/Karel Prinsloo. Children walk back to school after competing in an inter-school athletics competition northern Cameroon, 2017.
Children walk back to school after competing in an inter-school athletics competition northern Cameroon, 2017. Photo credits: UNICEF/Karel Prinsloo
United Nations Secretary-General Ant贸nio听Guterres has condemned Monday鈥檚 reported kidnapping of students and staff from a secondary school in Bamenda, North-West region of Cameroon.
鈥淗e calls for their immediate release and return to their homes and families,鈥� his spokesperson, St茅phane Dujarric, said in a statement on Tuesday.
鈥淭here can be no justification for these crimes against civilians, particularly minors,鈥澨齛dded Mr. Dujarric.
According to news reports, at least 79 students were abducted on Monday morning with their teacher, the principal and a driver 鈥� prompting a massive search operation involving the Cameroonian army. One student who hid under a bed said that events unfolded quickly as the kidnappers threatened to shoot, rounding up the older boys and leaving the smaller ones behind.
While no group has taken responsibility for the kidnappings, some journalists report that separatists complain that the Cameroon school system suppresses the English-speaking system inherited from the British.
听鈥淭he Secretary-General reiterates the need for a peaceful solution to the crisis in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon through an inclusive dialogue process,鈥� in which the UN 鈥渟tands ready to assist,鈥� said the UN spokesperson.
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