An English-speaking separatist group opposing government forces caused three tiny bombs during a running event in western Cameroon on Saturday, injuring 19 participants, according to a local physician.
Authorities in the town of Buea in the South-West Region, where 529 runners were competing in the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope and running up the highest mountain in West and Central Africa, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
One of the separatist militia organizations, the Ambazonia Governing Council, claimed responsibility for the explosions.
“The elite Cameroonian soldiers that were protecting the athletes were our main objective. We won’t permit Cameroon to keep occupying our territory “Capo Daniel, a spokesperson for the organization, said.
A video that was extensively circulated on social media but that we were unable to independently verify shows onlookers cheering on a runner before running for cover when a distant bomb goes off.