COURT HOUSE; WITNESSES; WIDOWS OF THE VICTIMS; JUDGES.




Initials JSU/VS/CR/SGM



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Background: ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE MILITARY TRIAL WHICH OPENED IN YAOUNDE ON THURSDAY 17 PEOPLE ADMITTED THAT THEY HAD TAKEN PART IN INCIDENTS AT TOMBEL, IN WEST CAMEROUN IN WHICH 25 GUERRILLA FIGHTERS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN KILLED. 15 OTHERS DENIED BOTH THE KILLINGS AND SETTING FIRE TO THREE HUTS.

THE 32 MEN ACCUSED ARE ALL BAKOSSI TRIBESMEN. THEY HAVE ALL DENIED THAT A TRIBAL WAR HAD BEEN DECLARED ON THE BAMILEKE TRIBESMEN TO AVENGE THE MURDER OF FOUR BAKOSSI. IT IS BELIEVED THAT A TOTAL NUMBER OF ABOUT 130 WILL EVENTUALLY STAND TRIAL ON CHARGES OF MURDER, ATTEMPTED MURDER, ARSON AND ACTS AGAINST STATE SECURITY.

MOST OF THE MEN ACCUSED BELONG TO LOCAL MILITIA GROUPS ESTABLISHED BY THE AUTHORITIES IN A NUMBER OF VILLAGES NEAT TOMBEL TO KEEP ORDER. THE DISTRICT OF TOMBEL IS UNDER SPECIAL SECURITY.

THE MILITARY JUDGES WILL HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER THE BAKOSSI KILLED -- AS THEY CLAIM, GUERRILLA FIGHTERS AND UNKNOWN SUSPECTS WHO HAD BEEN ARRESTED IN THE JUNGLE IN POSSESSION OF WEAPONS -- OR BAMILEKE RETURNING TO TOMBEL FROM ANOTHER REGION.

THE ACCUSED BAKOSSI CLAIM THEIR ACTION WAS A SPONTANEOUS MAINTENANCE OF ORDER.