The declaration of independence followed a series of events that started with the teachers and the lawyers' strike in October 2016. The lawyers had sent an ultimatum to the government of Cameroon calling for a redeployment of French speaking judges from English-speaking courts and called its territory made up of the two English speaking regions of current Republic of Cameroon; The Federal Republic of Ambazonia. It has since then formed its Interim Government and the Interim President, Sisiku Ayuk Tabe Julius, has appointed his first cabinet in exile. The Cameroon government initially responded by cracking down on lawyers' demonstrations, as well as separatist protestors and insurgents. At least 17 people were killed in protests following the declaration of independence, while fourteen Cameroonian troops were killed in attacks claimed by the Ambazonia Defence Forces. This led to a full-fledged guerilla war in Southern Cameroons.