Gbiti | |
|---|---|
  Gbiti Location in Cameroon | |
| Coordinates:4°42′2″N14°42′36″E / 4.70056°N 14.71000°E /4.70056; 14.71000 | |
| Country |  Cameroon |
| Province | East Province |
| Department | Kadey |
| Communes | Kette |
Gbiti is a border town in theEast Province inCameroon.
On 16 November 2013, "unidentified gunmen from theCentral African Republic (CAR)" attacked the Cameroonian border post at Gbiti. "Seven people died in the attack."[1]
In 2013, theKimberly Process’ Permanent Secretariat conducted an awareness campaign in the town about the importance of stopping the trade inblood diamonds, which could be used to finance Cameroonian gangs or political violence in theCentral African Republic.
The town has been impacted by the refugees escaping theCentral African Republic.[2][3][4][5][6]
As of May 26, 2014, 21,451 refugees from have crossed into Cameroon, and been received at the Gbiti transit center.[7]
Refugees assemble at the Gbiti transit center, and are transported to other locations, such as the refugee camp atMbilé, located "four hours away by bus."[8]
A YouTube video shot on a mobile phone by a relief worker in April 2014 documents a group of exhausted, malnourished people slowly crossing the river to enter Gbiti.[9] Many refugees have suffered severe injuries in attacks by CARAnti-balaka rebels.[10] One seven-year-old boy arriving with severe machete injuries was saved by treatment at the nearest hospital, located inBertoua, three hours' drive away.[11]
Fuller video coverage of town life is available in a 33-minute French language video by Alexandre Vigot.[12]
