The Vipers are an Ambazonian separatist militia.Who are Cameroon's English-speaking separatists?, Daily Nation, Feb 20, 2018. Accessed Apr 22, 2018. Described as a local self-defense group, they cooperate with the larger Ambazonia Defence Forces and SOCADEF.Cameroon govt urged to initiate dialogue and end ongoing crisis, Africa News, May 10, 2018. Accessed Mar 13, 2019. The group is centered in Babanki territories.
History The group was founded early in the Anglophone Crisis,Guerre Ambazonie: de nouelles factions sécessionnistes plus dangereuses et plus armées se créées et prêtes à en découdre avec le BIR , Ici Cemac, Feb 22, 2018. Accessed Jul 5, 2019. (French) and by December 2017 they commanded between ten and 30 fighters.Cameroon’s Anglophone Crisis: Dialogue Remains the Only Viable Solution, ReliefWeb, Dec 21, 2017. Accessed Jul 5, 2019.
The Vipers have claimed responsibility for burning down government buildings.Exclusive: 'We are in a war' - Cameroon unrest confronted by army offensive, Reuters, Feb 8, 2018. Accessed Mar 13, 2019. In May 2018, they were blamed for the burning down of an examination center in Bamenda.Examination center set ablaze in Bamenda, Journal du Cameroun, May 15, 2018. Accessed Mar 13, 2019.
The group was described as still being active as of late 2023.
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