Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has called for the people behind the attack on a school in the country’s Southwest region to be arrested and face the law, reported CGTN Africa.
Last week, at least eight children were killed during an attack by armed terrorists on a school in Kumba, according to the United Nations. The attack, which has been described as one of the worst in the region to date, also left at least twelve others injured.
Biya made the remarks on Saturday as the nation observed a day of national mourning in honor of the victims. The national flag was also flown at half-mast all day long throughout the country.
The Cameroon president condemned the attack and instructed that “appropriate measures be taken diligently to ensure that the perpetrators of these despicable acts are apprehended by our Defence and Security Forces and brought to justice.’’
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of yet. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from local and international leaders.
Pope Francis condemned the “barbaric” killing of school children.
”May God enlighten hearts, so that similar acts may never be repeated! I send my affection to the families and all Cameroon, and I invoke the comfort that only God can give,” he said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also said he was shocked by the horrific attack.
The Central African country has been witnessing protests and violence since 2016, as residents in English-speaking regions claim they have been marginalized by the central government and the French-speaking majority for decades.
According to the Human Rights Watch, violence in the Anglophone regions has claimed an estimated 3,000 lives and caused the displacement of over 730,000 civilians in the last three years.
In June, the Norwegian Refugee Council said Cameroon topped the list as the most neglected crisis on the planet in 2019.
