Belgian authorities have arrested three individuals suspected of involvement in crimes against humanity and war crimes linked to Cameroon’s long-running separatist conflict, federal prosecutors confirmed.
The suspects are believed to be senior members of the Ambazonia Defence Forces (ADF), an armed group seeking independence for Cameroon’s two English-speaking regions. Prosecutors allege that funds for the separatist struggle, including money for weapons and ammunition, were raised from Belgium. They also claim that operational instructions for attacks were issued from within Belgian territory.
The arrests followed coordinated searches carried out on Sunday in Antwerp and the Flemish town of Londerzeel. Four people were initially detained, with three later placed in custody by an investigating judge. Authorities said the probe began last summer and focuses on individuals residing in Belgium who are suspected of holding leadership roles within the ADF.
The conflict in Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions began nearly a decade ago and has since escalated into widespread violence. According to the United Nations, more than 6,500 people have been killed.
The crisis originated in 2016 when lawyers and teachers protested against the use of French in courts and schools in the predominantly English-speaking regions. Tensions deepened in 2017 after separatist activists declared the creation of an independent state known as Ambazonia, triggering armed clashes between rebel groups and government forces.
Human rights organizations have accused both separatist fighters and state security forces of committing serious abuses throughout the conflict.
The UN estimates that the violence has displaced more than 490,000 people and left over 1.5 million in need of humanitarian assistance.
President Paul Biya, who has been in power for more than four decades, maintains that his government has taken meaningful steps to address the crisis. However, critics continue to challenge the administration’s handling of the conflict and its broader record on political freedoms.