February 2, 2018, in the village of Belo, located in Boyo State, Northern Ambazonia, the Cameroon Occupation Forces carried out a brutal and indiscriminate attack against innocent civilians.

The Forces Abducted, Tortured, and Killed Numerous villagers, including Men, Women, and Children.

Eyewitnesses reported the horrifying scenes, where the Occupation Forces not only caused loss of life but also destroyed essential property, including vehicles, motorcycles, and shops, which were vital for the community’s livelihood. The ruthless destruction of homes and the burning of critical resources left many villagers homeless, helpless, and severely traumatized.

This attack constitutes a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), particularly the Geneva Conventions of 1949, which are designed to protect civilians in times of armed conflict. According to Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, all parties to a conflict must treat civilians humanely, prohibiting acts such as Murder, Torture, and violence. The Abduction, Killing, and Torture of unarmed civilians by the Cameroon Occupation Forces directly violate these provisions.

The deliberate destruction of civilian property is another grave violation. Under Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, the destruction of property belonging to civilians is prohibited unless absolutely necessary for military operations. The burning of civilians’ personal property, such as homes, vehicles, and businesses, is a blatant violation of this rule and further exacerbates the suffering of the population.

Furthermore, this incident also violates Protocol II of the Geneva Conventions, which offers additional protection for civilians during non-international armed conflicts. It specifically prohibits acts of violence that target civilian property or cause excessive harm to civilians and their means of survival.

By perpetrating these acts of violence and destruction, the Cameroon Occupation Forces have committed War Crimes under International Law. The assault on Belo exemplifies the systematic targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, acts that demand accountability through International justice mechanisms to ensure the protection of human rights and the enforcement of the laws of war.