November 17, 2023, Menchum State, Northern Ambazonia: Abduction of Healthcare Worker by Cameroon Occupational Forces from the Baptist Hospital (BBH) near a small market near Kumbo Cathedral. The woman, whose name remains unknown, was returning home from work at midday when the incident occurred. The tragic event highlights the dangers faced by healthcare personnel and other civilians in war zones.

Violation of International Humanitarian Laws

The Abduction of Healthcare workers and the killing of this nurse guard constitute a blatant violation of International Humanitarian Laws (IHL). Under IHL, particularly the Geneva Conventions, civilians and non-combatant personnel, including healthcare workers, are entitled to special protections during wartime. The deliberate targeting of individuals in these categories undermines International legal norms and the humanitarian principles that protect the dignity and safety of human life in wartime.

War Crime Committed by Cameroon Occupational Forces

The actions of the Cameroon Occupational Forces qualify as a war crime under International statutes, including the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The forcible abduction and subsequent killing of a healthcare worker—a profession designated as neutral and protected—represent grave breaches of international law. Such acts not only endanger lives but also erode trust in the impartiality and safety of healthcare systems in war zones.

Broader Implications for Civilian Safety

This incident raises critical concerns about the treatment of civilians in occupied territories and the broader implications for safety under Cameroon’s military occupation. By targeting a nurse guard, a symbol of care and neutrality, the occupational forces have further escalated the hostility in Ambazonia. It sends a chilling message to healthcare workers and other non-combatants, discouraging their vital contributions during times of war.

The abduction and killing of the BBH nurse guard by Cameroon Occupational Forces is a grievous violation of IHL, marking it as a war crime that demands International scrutiny and accountability.