Cameroon’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) began on January 16, 2021, with a 1-0 victory over Zimbabwe in Yaoundé, but the tournament is overshadowed by the Anglophone conflict and COVID-19.
Held as a rehearsal for the 2022 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), CHAN faces threats from Ambazonia separatists, dubbed “Amba Boys,” vowing to disrupt games in the northwest and southwest.
Armored vehicles line the Mungo River, a historic divide between Cameroon’s anglophone and francophone regions, with security forces patrolling Limbe and Buea.imbe’s stadium on January 26, 2021, with no casualties.
Separatist Conflict Fuels Fear
The Anglophone crisis, ongoing since 2017, has killed over 3,000 and displaced 700,000, per UN reports.
Separatists, seeking an independent Ambazonia, enforce “ghost town” operations, halting activity in towns like Tiko and Mutengene, especially during CHAN.
On January 27, 2021, these towns were deserted before the Zambia-Namibia match in Limbe, a semi-final host.
A Buea police officer told AFP, Separatist attacks, including a bomb blast near Limbe’s stadium, led locals like 19-year-old Harris to skip matches out of fear, per AFP.
COVID-19 Adds Complexity
As the first major international football tournament since the COVID-19 pandemic began, CHAN faces health challenges. Cameroon, with 29,321 cases and 448 deaths by January 2021, per WHO, implemented strict protocols.
The government deployed troops to ensure safety and curb virus spread, Unlike Tanzania’s denialism, Cameroon acknowledges the pandemic, but the second wave strains resources.
The tournament’s success tests AFCON preparedness, with Limbe and Buea under scrutiny as training hubs.
Security Measures Intensify
Security has been bolstered in Limbe, hosting a semi-final, and Buea, a team training center. Armored patrols crisscross roads, with machine guns ready, per AFP.
Separatists’ daily “ghost town” decrees since CHAN’s start have paralyzed local life, especially before the January 27 Zambia-Namibia game.
The Mungo River, symbolizing Cameroon’s 1961 unification, is heavily guarded.
The government’s response, including troop deployments, aims to secure CHAN and prepare for AFCON, but separatist threats loom large.
Stakes for Cameroon’s Future
As CHAN heads toward its February 7, 2021, final, Cameroon balances showcasing its hosting ability with managing conflict and COVID-19.
The tournament’s success is critical for AFCON 2022, but separatist disruptions and health risks challenge stability.
International aid groups, cited by AFP, note civilians suffer most, caught in crossfire.
Cameroon’s ability to secure CHAN could rebuild trust, but lasting peace and robust health measures are vital for future events and regional stability.
