Central African Republic and Cameroon ease border tensions after incident

Following a widely circulated video, tensions flared at the Central African Republic-Cameroon border when two Cameroonian gendarmes, armed with Kalashnikovs, were spotted in the village of Gasol, deep inside Central African territory.

Locals reported the officers to nearby Central African military units, who intercepted them immediately. The gendarmes were accused of extortion, a serious allegation that prompted swift action from the Central African forces.

Upon encountering the unauthorized presence, Central African troops disarmed the Cameroonian officers and escorted them to the Beloko police station, located along the shared border.

High-level meeting resolves dispute

On Tuesday, senior officials from both nations convened to address the incident. The discussions concluded with a commitment to maintain peace and respect for each country’s sovereignty.

The seized weapons were returned to Cameroonian authorities, and a joint monitoring committee was established to ensure the matter is fully resolved. The incident has highlighted long-standing concerns in the Central African Republic regarding alleged illegal occupation of border areas by Cameroon, a claim Yaoundé continues to deny.