Southern Cameroons Defence Forces

The Southern Cameroons Defence Forces (commonly referred to as SOCADEF) is the armed wing of the African People's Liberation Movement, an Ambazonian separatist movement. It is led by Ebenezer Akwanga,[2] who is based in the United States,[3] and its ground forces were commanded by General Andrew Ngoe.[4] Together with the Ambazonia Defence Forces, it is one of the most prominent militias fighting in the Anglophone Crisis.[1]

Southern Cameroons Defence Forces
Seal of SOCADEF
Founded2017
Leadership
ChiefEbenezer Akwanga[1]
Related articles
HistoryAnglophone Crisis

SOCADEF has not joined the Ambazonia Self-Defence Council, an umbrella organization created by the Interim Government. However, its political wing, the African People's Liberation Movement (APLM), took part in forming the Southern Cameroons Liberation Council in March 2019, effectively uniting with the Interim Government under an umbrella organization.[5]

On January 24, 2019, General Andrew Ngoe was killed in Matoh, Mbonge, leaving "General Opobo" in charge.[4] The militia made some headlines in March 2020 when it declared a two-week ceasefire to give people time to get tested for coronavirus.[6] General Opobo was captured and killed by other separatists in June 2021, and SOCADEF was rumored to have disbanded. In reality, the militia went underground for several months while acquiring better weapons and a new leadership. In September 2021, SOCADEF resurfaced with a new leader known as "General Jason".[7]

References
  1. Who are Cameroon's English-speaking separatists?, Daily Nation, Feb 20, 2018. Accessed Apr 22, 2018.
  2. "Au Cameroun anglophone, de nombreuses divisions fragmentent les séparatistes". L'Express. 19 February 2018. Retrieved 2019-06-04.
  3. Cameroon: Tumi’s AGC begins consulting with Ambazonia separatists, Journal du Cameroun, Feb 4, 2019. Accessed Mar 10, 2019.
  4. Cameroon: ‘Ambazonia General’ killed in Matoh, Journal du Cameroun, Jan 24, 2019. Accessed Jan 24, 2019.
  5. Federalists Meet Restorationists, Which Group Will Perform The Osmosis?, Cameroon News Agency, Mar 29, 2019. Accessed Apr 10, 2019.
  6. Cameroon rebels declare coronavirus ceasefire, BBC, Mar 26, 2020. Accessed Mar 27, 2020.
  7. SOCADEF of Matoh introduces new General and recruits armed with sophisticated weapons, Mimi Mefo Infos, Sep 19, 2021. Accessed Sep 21, 2021.


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