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The Cameroonian government has denied allegations by an international human rights group that it forcibly deported about 100,000 Nigerian refugees in a breach of international laws.
On Wednesday, Human Rights Watch accused the country’s army of forcing the Nigerian refugees back to their country, subjecting some of them to torture.
Cameroon government’s spokesperson Issa Tchiroma Bakary on Thursday denied the allegations, saying his country had almost 500,000 refugees in the country.
“I should like to remind Human Rights Watch of two things. Firstly, we have today almost 500,000 refugees in our country. Secondly, it is not Cameroon’s role to take in refugees from around the globe. The allegations of torture and notably sexual aggression [by troops] constitute a shameful lie,” he said.
Millions of Nigerians live in displacement following years of war waged in their country by Islamist militants group Boko Haram.
The terror group is seeking to enforce a strict Sharia-based system of governance.
The war has meant millions of Nigerians in the northeast are holed up in refugee camps.
The United Nations earlier this year bemoaned the state of the refugee camps, also saying the situation in the region is making it impossible for aid workers to assess the real situation.
West African nations have however formed a joint force to fight the militant group, with headquarters in Chad.
Even though gains have been made, the militants continue to stage attacks in Nigeria and beyond.
(CGTN)
