Press Release

Cameroon: Statement by Humanitarian Coordinator on Killing of school children in Kumba, South West Region

24 October 2020

Mr. Matthias Z. Naab strongly condemns the attack against Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy in Kumba, South West Region of Cameroon

Yaoundé, 24 October 2020 – The Humanitarian Coordinator in Cameroon, Mr. Matthias Z. Naab, strongly condemns the attack against Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy in Kumba, in the South West region of Cameroon in which it is reported that at least eight children were killed and another twelve wounded.

“I am shocked and outraged by the killing of innocent school children which were attending school to get an education. On behalf of the United Nations and the wider humanitarian community in Cameroon, I extend our deepest condolences to the families of the children killed and our support to the wounded and their families and to all the community”, said Mr. Naab.

On 24 October, a group of armed men attacked Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy in Kumba. At least eight children were killed as a result of gunshots and attack with machetes. Another twelve were wounded and taken to local hospitals.

The World Health Organization has provided medical supplies to the district hospital and Médecins sans Frontières is supporting the hospital with medical supplies and personnel. The United Nations will continue to support efforts by the Government and non-Governmental organizations to provide necessary medical assistance to the wounded.

The attack against school children is the worst atrocity since the resumption of the school year on 5 October 2020 in which more students enrolled in the North-West and South-West regions than in recent years.

“Children have a right to education. Violence against schools and innocent school children is not acceptable under any circumstances and can constitute a crime against humanity if proven in a court of law. I call on the competent authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into this tragedy”, reiterated Mr. Naab.

Mr. Naab reiterated the United Nations’ call for all armed actors to refrain from any attacks against children and other civilians, and ensure that schools, medical facilities and their personnel are not subjected to violence or threats in any way.

Bibiane Mouangue

OCHA

Public information Officer

bibiane.mouangue@un.org

Jean Njita

UNIC

Head of Office

watard@un.org +237677623939

Issa Sanogo

RCO

Resident Coordinator

Dr. Issa Sanogo has almost 30 years of comprehensive experience in development and humanitarian affairs, honed both within and beyond the United Nations. Dr. Sanogo is the current United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Cameroon since September 1, 2024. He previously served as UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Madagascar. Dr. Sanogo brings a wealth of expertise from his tenure in senior roles at the World Food Program (WFP). Notably, he spearheaded the establishment of the Regional Center of Excellence against Hunger and Malnutrition (CERFAM) in Côte d'Ivoire, serving as its inaugural Director. His leadership was instrumental in crafting the center's strategic plan, partnership strategy, action plan, communication, advocacy strategy, and knowledge management platform.
Previously, Dr. Sanogo served as Deputy Country Director (Programme and Operations) at WFP, where he orchestrated the development of Country Strategic Plans and oversaw the implementation of multifaceted food assistance programs. These initiatives, encompassing in-kind and cash transfers, resilience-building activities, nutrition, and school meals, benefited over one million recipients across Lebanon and Chad, including refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons, host communities, and vulnerable population groups. Prior to this, Dr. Sanogo played a pivotal role in pioneering market and economic analysis tools for market-based programming in WFP.
He served as a Regional Market Assessment Advisor in Thailand and later assumed the role of Head of the Economic Analysis Unit in Italy. During corporate emergencies, he contributed his expertise as a member of programme scoping missions. Before embarking on his United Nations journey, Dr. Sanogo served as an Economist at the World Bank in Guinea, where he was instrumental in monitoring economic performance and contributing to various strategies and projects aimed at enhancing governance, improving social spending, and reducing poverty. His career trajectory began with the Government of Côte d'Ivoire, where he held roles as an Economist at the National Bureau of Technical Studies and Development (BNETD) and as a Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Industry and Private Sector Promotion. In these capacities, he conducted economic impact analyses, coordinated partnerships with donors, and provided advisory support on economic and institutional reforms. Dr. Sanogo holds a Doctorate in Development Economics, complemented by Master's degrees in Financial and Economic Analysis of Development Projects and Analysis and Management of Economic Policies from the School of Economics (CERDI) of the University of Auvergne in France.

UN entities involved in this initiative

OCHA

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Goals we are supporting through this initiative