Cameroon conflict looms over 2021 Africa Cup of Nations venue

Cameroon players celebrate with the trophy after beating Egypt 2-1 to win the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Libreville, Gabon. [File]

Droves of armoured vehicles are patrolling the streets of Limbe in Cameroon’s conflict-torn South West Region ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) soccer finals starting on Jan. 9 that separatist militants have vowed to disrupt.

Cameroon is hosting the tournament in six cities, but security is potentially most at threat in Limbe, a city on the tropical Atlantic coast whose surrounding region has been rocked by armed attacks since war broke out in 2017.