Lucas Ayaba Cho, a leading figure in Cameroon’s Anglophone separatist movement, was arrested in Norway on Tuesday. His arrest is reportedly linked to his statements on social media regarding the ongoing armed conflict in Cameroon.
Cho has been a prominent advocate for independence in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions, which have experienced violence since 2016, resulting in over 6,000 deaths and nearly one million displaced individuals. Many residents of these regions have voiced concerns about discrimination from the French-speaking majority.
Amnesty International has condemned both the Cameroonian government and armed separatists for human rights abuses, including killings and torture of civilians.
A Cameroonian official told the BBC that Norway and Cameroon have a security agreement, which may lead to Cho’s extradition. However, his lawyer indicated he was not aware of any extradition request.
Cho has been described as a “liberation leader” and commands the Ambazonian Defence Forces (ADF) from Norway. He has been associated with a recent campaign that included a two-week lockdown aimed at boycotting schools. His militant tactics have faced criticism, particularly after ADF fighters pressured taxi drivers to repaint their vehicles in the colors of the proposed state of Ambazonia.
Additionally, the ADF has implemented a “liberation tax” on residents in the Anglophone regions to fund their conflict against the government.
Cho’s radical approach dates back to the 1990s when he was expelled from the University of Buea for his protest activities. Norway’s National Criminal Investigation Service (KRIPOS) has stated that Cho plays a central role in the ongoing armed conflict in Cameroon. Norwegian investigators sought custody of Cho from the Oslo District Court on Wednesday, with prosecutor Anette Berger noting that the investigation is still in its early stages.
Emmanuel Nsahlai, a U.S.-based lawyer representing victims of the Anglophone crisis, called Cho’s arrest a “significant victory” against separatist violence. He stated, “This arrest marks a critical step in holding him accountable for his actions and bringing justice to the victims of his violence.”
Cho is not the first separatist leader to face arrest abroad in connection with the violence in Cameroon. The Cameroonian government has consistently sought assistance from foreign nations to repatriate separatist leaders for trial, following the extradition of Julius Sisiku Ayuk Tabe and others from Nigeria in 2018.
