Terrorism: NGO warns against religious intolerance

The International Crisis Group, in a recent report, has warned against religious intolerance in Cameroon.

The International NGO has urged fundamentalist Islam and Pentecostal revivalist Churches to stay awakened and not encourage actions that will disturb the religious landscape.

“This poses a particular risk to the North and the state's reactions as well as that of religious organizations, which remains inadequate, because it is limited by the threat posed by Islamist sect, Boko Haram,” said the International Crisis Group.

The authorities banned the wearing of the full veil in the Far North Region since July to prevent suicide bombings by men or fully veiled women.

This measure is however, appreciated by some Cameroonians:

"Securing the people is the utmost. We are a country at war and many use Islam and clothing of some tribes, (to portray Islam) to justify their evil acts," said Princess Hadjidja, a Cameroonian university researcher .

The Far North, which borders Nigeria and Chad, has been the regular target of deadly attacks for two years. These include kidnappings and suicide bombings, mostly perpetuated by Boko Haram.

Cameroon is engaged in a regional coalition against the Nigerian Boko Haram sect alongside Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Benin.