1 week Ago By ----
A federal grand jury in Baltimore has indicted Eric Tataw, a 38-year-old Cameroonian national residing in Maryland, United States, for allegedly conspiring to support armed separatist militias in Cameroon. Tataw, popularly known as “the Garri Master,” faces charges of providing material support to violent groups seeking to establish an independent state called “Ambazonia” in Cameroon’s Northwest and Southwest regions. He is also charged with four counts of interstate communication of threats to harm.
He made his initial appearance on Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge J.
Mark Coulson in Maryland. If convicted, Tataw faces up to 15 years in prison for the material support charge and up to five years for each count related to threats. According to the indictment, Tataw and others allegedly began raising funds for separatist fighters—often referred to as “Amba Boys”—in April 2018.
The indictment accuses Tataw of inciting the murder and kidnapping of civilians, and encouraging the destruction of public, educational, and cultural property in Cameroon. Prosecutors claim Tataw also promoted brutal acts of violence against civilians, including the severing of limbs—an act he allegedly referred to as “Garriing.” He is said to have used the term “small Garri” to describe the removal of fingers or small appendages, and “large Garri” for the amputation of major limbs or killing.
Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, said the indictment reflects the department’s commitment to punishing human rights violators and those who fundraise for armed political violence. Sue J.
Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, emphasized that the U.S. will continue to hold accountable individuals who attempt to use American soil to support violent movements abroad.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O.
Hayes for the District of Maryland stated that Tataw and his co-conspirators “masterminded and financially supported a vicious scheme to overthrow a foreign government,” and must be held accountable for their actions, which Hayes described as showing a “total disregard for human life.”.
