Minnesota duo charged with financing violence in Cameroon conflict

In a significant development concerning international terrorism, a federal grand jury in the United States has indicted two naturalized citizens from Cameroon. These men, believed to be in their 50s, face multiple charges including conspiracy to kill, kidnap, and provide material support to armed factions within their home country. Allegedly acting as leaders of the Ambazonia Defense Forces, a group dedicated to establishing a new nation in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions, the men are accused of orchestrating violent acts that have contributed to the ongoing Anglophone Crisis. According to the indictment, the individuals began their campaign of violence in 2017, providing financial backing for attacks that have resulted in numerous casualties, including the deaths of three Cameroonian soldiers in their first attack. Their activities continued over the ensuing years as they reportedly raised funds through social media to acquire weapons and support militant operations against both governmental and civilian targets in Cameroon. As the conflict in Cameroon has intensified, reaching a critical point with thousands of civilian casualties reported, the actions of these men highlight a concerning trend of American citizens engaging in violence abroad. The U.S. Attorney’s Office indicated that they orchestrated financial movements over the years to aid these efforts, with particular emphases on encouraging fighters to carry out systematic campaigns of terrorism against perceived enemies. This alarming trend reveals how global conflicts can resonate within U.S. borders, emphasizing that domestic safety can be compromised by individuals engaged in foreign terrorist activities. The indictment also details specific acts ordered by the duo, including tactics aimed at instilling fear and coercing the Cameroonian government into recognizing the legitimacy of their cause. Furthermore, they are said to have directly participated in directing attacks and provided material support for the purchasing of firearms, including AK-47 assault rifles for their associates. This financial impetus went hand in hand with social media campaigns that further sought to galvanize support for militant actions through public fundraising efforts. With their arrests taking place in September 2025, these two men now face potential life sentences if found guilty, serving as a stark reminder of the lengths to which individuals may go to support ideologically driven violence. The FBI has stated that such activities will not be tolerated, regardless of where they occur, indicating a serious commitment to addressing transnational terrorism. As cases like this develop, they serve to underline the need for continued vigilance in monitoring and penalizing those who engage in or support violent acts both within and outside the United States.