February 14, 2021, Mezam State, Northern Ambazonia, Cameroon Occupation Forces carried out a brutal attack on innocent and unarmed civilians. Eyewitnesses recounted that the forces abducted, tortured, and ultimately killed numerous individuals, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake.
The violence extended beyond the immediate victims, as many innocent youths and elderly individuals were forcefully taken to prison without just cause. In addition to these abductions and killings, the occupation forces set fire to civilians’ homes, destroying the shelters and properties that people relied on for their survival.
This widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and unlawful imprisonment reflects a pattern of state-sponsored violence aimed at terrorizing and subjugating the Ambazonian people.
The targeting of non-combatants, including the elderly and young people, highlights the deliberate and oppressive nature of these acts. By systematically burning homes and detaining civilians, the Cameroon Occupation Forces not only inflicted immediate harm but also condemned entire families to homelessness, economic ruin, and psychological trauma.
The actions of the Cameroon Occupation Forces on this day constitute grave violations of international law and are classified as War Crimes under multiple legal frameworks. The Geneva Conventions of 1949, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, explicitly prohibit violence against civilians, including murder, torture, and unlawful imprisonment. Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions forbids cruel treatment, murder, and the taking of hostages, all of which were committed during this attack.
The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) also recognizes these acts as war crimes under Article 8, specifically the willful killing, inhumane treatment, and the destruction of civilian property without military justification. Additionally, the forcible detention of innocent civilians without due process violates international human rights law, particularly Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which states that no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile. The deliberate burning of homes and displacement of civilians further qualifies as a crime against humanity under Article 7 of the Rome Statute, as these actions form part of a widespread and systematic attack against a civilian population. Such atrocities demand immediate international intervention to investigate, prosecute, and hold the perpetrators accountable.
The continued impunity of the Cameroon Occupation Forces sets a dangerous precedent and emboldens further acts of violence. The international community must act swiftly to provide justice for the victims, ensure reparations for those affected, and implement measures to prevent future atrocities. Only through accountability and enforcement of international law can the suffering of the people of Ambazonia be acknowledged and justice served.
GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA