The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development has issued a statement classifying Southern Cameroons as “Red Zone”. In the section “Advice to Travellers” on the website of the French embassy in Cameroon, French nationals residing in La Republique have been told to avoid travelling to Southern Cameroons.

The French statement said “Due to the tensions in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon (North West, South West), it is recommended to travellers to this area to avoid gatherings and not to go out at night.” The statement further pointed out that “In the case of a general strike (ghost towns), it is advisable to refrain from circulating in the towns – notably Bamenda, Buea, Limbe, Kumba.”

The French Foreign Ministry also advised its citizens to be particularly vigilant and to strictly observe the safety recommendations in particular the advice of restrictions on travel in areas classified in orange and in areas classified in red colours. The statement called on French citizens to be vigilant throughout the country, including in the two major cities Douala and Yaoundé.

By Sama Ernest, CIR