Did Cameroon army bus kids to Youth Day event in Anglophone region?

Social media activists are claiming that the Cameroon army bussed school children from other regions to the restive Anglophone region for the annual Youth Day celebration.

A video shared on Twitter showed a military truck with soldiers helping school children descend. Another military pickup with armed men is closely behind the truck.

#PaulBiya, La Republique du Cameras transporting kids from other regions to stage a fake 11th February celebration in #SouthernCameroons. #Ambazonia. #Cameroon not ready for #AFCON2019 due to insecurity. CAF_Online take note. #FreeSouthernCameroons #AJNewsGrid LeahHardingAJE pic.twitter.com/MdupVfJtPu

— Fed Rep of Ambazonia (@GovAmba) February 11, 2018

The southwest and northwest (Anglophone regions) of Cameroon have been restive since October 2017 when secessionist leaders decided to declare independence under the so – called Ambazonia Republic name.

This years’ youth day celebration had been declared off by separatists in the two regions where social disruption has led to the closure of some schools and people fleeing their homes into the forest and into neighbouring Nigeria.

Exclusive!
February 11 at Commercial Avenue Bamenda this Morning. pic.twitter.com/gKLfPFl7d4

— Mimi237 (@Mimimefo237) February 11, 2018

The state-run CRTV on its twitter handle shared two photos of students taking part in the march past in Buea, capital of the southwest region and another key town, Limbe.

52nd National #YouthDay2018, Youths in Buea and Limbe actively participated in the match past pic.twitter.com/Vm0yE0mXor

— CRTVweb (@CRTV_web) February 11, 2018

Cameroon celebrates every February 11 as Youth Day on which occasion the country reflects on the awareness and recognition of youth significance for the country.

The first celebration was held in 1962, a year after British Southern Cameroon and French Cameroon unified. The holiday was created to replace National Day, that was celebrated on October 26. The first celebration of Youth Day took place on October 26, 1962.

The date of celebration was changed to February 11 in 1963. The day is celebrated by parades, in which school children and youth groups participate. The holiday is very popular among young people and it’s used to encourage the Cameroon’s youth to renounce violence and other unsavory behaviors.