June 18, 2018 Bafia Fako State, Southern Ambazonia, Cameroonian Occupation Forces engaged in a brutal operation, abducting civilians and shooting indiscriminately.

The random and unchecked use of gunfire left numerous innocent civilians injured. Among the victims was Mr. Fondong James, a hardworking farmer and vital member of the community, whose life was upended by this tragic act of violence.

This violent act constitutes a War Crime under International Law. According to Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions (1949), violence against persons not actively participating in hostilities, including civilians, is strictly prohibited. The article explicitly forbids acts such as murder, cruel treatment, and torture. By shooting randomly and injuring civilians, the Cameroonian Forces violated this fundamental principle of international humanitarian law. Additionally, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Article 8(2)(e)(i), defines war crimes as intentionally directing attacks against civilians who are not part of the conflict. The indiscriminate shooting of unarmed individuals in Bafia fits squarely within this definition.

Such incidents demonstrate a pattern of attacks targeting unarmed civilians who have no involvement in the ongoing conflict. These actions have inflicted lasting trauma on families, disrupted livelihoods, and deepened the suffering of innocent residents.

Furthermore, the use of random gunfire breaches the principles of distinction and proportionality under international humanitarian law, which require military forces to distinguish between combatants and civilians and to avoid excessive force. Civilians, like Mr. Fondong James, who was merely engaged in his daily farming activities, must not be subjected to violence. These principles are outlined in Protocol II of the Geneva Conventions, which specifically protects civilian populations in internal conflicts.

The incident in Bafia highlights the systemic nature of such violations and underscores the need for accountability. Acts like these, which inflict harm on unarmed civilians, erode the protections enshrined in international humanitarian law. Global intervention is necessary to investigate these crimes, prosecute those responsible, and ensure justice for victims like Mr. Fondong James and his community.

MORE WAR CRIMES VIDEOS, BY THE LRC IN AMBAZONIA COMMUNITIES