04 July 2018•Update: 04 July 2018
By Tufan Aktas
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia
Cameroon has transferred six schools affiliated with FETO -- the terrorist group behind the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey -- to a special Turkish foundation.
"Cameroon authorities told us that those who dared to commit such a betrayal are a threat to Cameroon too," Husnu Murat Ulku, Turkey’s ambassador to Cameroon, told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday, referring to the defeated coup, which took 251 lives and injured 2,200.
Cameroon showed great solidarity with Turkey by transferring the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) schools to the Turkish Maarif Foundation, he added.
Turkey established the Maarif Foundation in 2016 to take over the administration of overseas schools linked to FETO. It also establishes schools and education centers abroad. Dozens of African countries have handed over FETO schools to Maarif or closed them down at Ankara's request.
Ulku explained that Cameroonian authorities waited until the end of the school year so as to minimize the disruption for students.
Relations between Turkey and Cameroon are excellent, he said, adding: "The transfer of the schools is a development which confirms the strong bonds and solid friendship."
Birol Akgun, Maarif's head, thanked the Cameroonian government and stressed Maarif will do a better job educating its young students.
"We will continue to take over FETO-affiliated schools in Africa and in various parts of the world," he explained.
Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, including the military, police, judiciary, and schools.
FETO also has a considerable presence outside Turkey, including private educational institutions that serve as a revenue stream for the terrorist group.
