Military Steps Up Deployments Against Separatists, Terrorist Threats

The Cameroonian government says it is mobilizing troops to confront the Islamist terror group Boko Haram and Anglophone separatist forces, reports the Voice of America News. 

The country will fight for national unity and territorial integrity in 2019, said Lt. Gen. Rene Claude Meka, the defense chief. 

Boko Haram has conducted five attacks recently in northern Cameroon and has increased its recruitment efforts. 

Anglophone separatist forces in the northwest have been recruiting mercenaries, said the general.

At least 45 Anglophone militants have been killed in 2019, he said. The separatists dispute the figure

President Paul Biya granted about 100 Anglophone activists amnesty in December in what some saw as a goodwill gesture. This has not halted the fighting. 

Troops have also been deployed to the eastern border with the Central African Republic in response to increased fighting there.