Separatist Conflict Slows Reconstruction in Cameroon

The Cameroonian government says fighting between troops and rebels is slowing reconstruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and other public buildings in its troubled western regions. Rebels on social media have vowed to make the English-speaking Northwest and South regions a breakaway nation they call Ambazonia.

The rebels say government schools and offices are legitimate targets as they are used by the French-speaking majority to suppress the English-speaking minority - a notion which authorities reject. The administration says it will provide 70% of the funds needed for the reconstruction while the rest will be covered by international donors, including the U.N., France, and Japan, and private companies - both local and foreign.

President Paul Biya announced the reconstruction plan in 2020 after a national dialogue to solve the conflict, which separatists did not attend.