Following the viral circulation of videos showing two Cameroonian gendarmes armed with Kalashnikov rifles in Gasol, a village in Central African territory, authorities in Bangui acted swiftly to address the incident.

Residents alerted local forces, prompting an immediate response from Central African troops stationed in the region. The soldiers intercepted the Cameroonian officers, disarmed them, and escorted them to the Beloko police station near the border.

The presence of foreign military personnel in national territory was deemed a violation of sovereignty, leading to the seizure of their weapons before their transfer to Cameroonian gendarmerie officials.

High-level diplomatic engagement

On Tuesday, senior officials from both nations convened to resolve the dispute. The meeting concluded with a commitment to preserve mutual respect for territorial integrity and strengthen cooperative ties.

As a gesture of goodwill, the seized firearms were returned to Cameroonian authorities. A joint monitoring committee was established to oversee the resolution of the incident and prevent future escalations.

Tensions have simmered for years over disputed border areas, with Central African communities accusing Cameroon of illegal occupation. Yaoundé has consistently denied these claims, emphasizing its adherence to international agreements.