A U.S. Army major working as a nurse at a military hospital near Washington has been charged with conspiring to provide weapons and tactical support to armed separatists fighting in Cameroon's deadly civil conflict, according to court records unsealed this week—a case that highlights the global reach of a humanitarian crisis that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands.
Maj. Kenneth Chungag, 50, who lives and works at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, is accused of using his military training to assist the Ambazonia Defense Forces, a separatist organization fighting for independence in Cameroon's English-speaking regions. Chungag, a naturalized U.S. citizen, and co-defendant Mercy Akwi Ombaku, 38, were arrested this week on federal conspiracy charges.
A Conflict Rooted in Colonial Legacy
The separatist movement Chungag allegedly supported has deep historical roots. The conflict dates back to the early 1960s, about 63 years ago, when British Southern Cameroons—a United Nations trust territory previously governed as part of Nigeria's eastern region—was joined with Cameroon. Nine years ago, in 2017, English-speaking separatists launched a rebellion aimed at establishing an independent state in response to decades of marginalization.
The human toll has been devastating. The conflict has killed at least 6,500 people and displaced over 600,000 others, according to the Belgium-based International Crisis Group. Cameroon, with a population of roughly 31 million, has been ruled by Paul Biya since 1982, making him one of Africa's longest-serving rulers.
From Military Base to Alleged Conspiracy
According to the FBI affidavit, Chungag first expressed interest in assisting ADF members six years ago in 2020, when he was stationed at Fort Meade in Maryland. In online chats with ADF members in Cameroon, Chungag falsely claimed to have combat experience in Iraq but appeared to be embellishing his military background to raise his profile in the group, the affidavit says.
Chungag is accused of plotting with Ombaku, a Maryland resident and healthcare worker who is also a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Cameroon, to transfer money from the U.S. to Cameroon for the purchase of AK-47 assault rifles. Investigators believe Chungag grew disillusioned and withdrew from the organization two years ago in 2024.
Alleged Cover-Up Attempts
Later in 2024, FBI agents questioned Chungag about his ADF-related activities. Investigators believe he tried to destroy incriminating evidence by deleting ADF-related messages from his phone after the FBI contacted him. Nine months ago, last July, the FBI questioned Ombaku about ADF affiliation, which she denied.
Defense attorney Robert Jenkins said in an email Friday that Chungag is "greatly dismayed by these charges and looks forward to a timely and just resolution of the matter." An attorney for Ombaku did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Recent Peace Efforts
The charges come as international attention has focused on the conflict. Last Thursday, Pope Leo XIV presided over a peace meeting with community leaders in one of the two Anglophone regions during his recent Africa trip. During the pope's visit, separatist groups announced a three-day pause in fighting.
A magistrate judge ordered Chungag and Ombaku's release from custody after initial court appearances in Alexandria, Virginia, and prosecutors did not seek their pretrial detention. Chungag has worked as a nurse at a Fort Belvoir community hospital, according to a base spokesperson. The medical center did not immediately respond to questions about his employment status. Fort Belvoir is located about 20 miles south of Washington along the Potomac River.
Why This Matters:
This case underscores the far-reaching consequences of Cameroon's civil conflict, which has created a humanitarian crisis affecting hundreds of thousands of vulnerable civilians caught between government forces and separatist fighters. The alleged involvement of a U.S. military member in supporting armed groups highlights the challenges of addressing conflicts rooted in colonial-era decisions and ongoing political marginalization. With more than 6,500 people killed and over 600,000 displaced, the Anglophone crisis demands greater international attention and diplomatic engagement to protect civilian populations and address the underlying grievances that fuel violence. The case also raises questions about vetting and monitoring of military personnel with ties to foreign conflicts, particularly those involving vulnerable populations in regions with long histories of political exclusion.