December 26, 2019, Manfe, Manyu State, Ambazonia, an incident unfolded that revealed the harsh realities of conflict and the fragility of innocent lives in the face of systemic violence. On this day, forces identified as belonging to the Cameroon Occupation Force engaged in actions that amounted to egregious violations of International Humanitarian Law(IHL) and human rights.

Reports indicate that these forces abducted, tortured, and executed unarmed civilians in an act devoid of justification or humanity. Among the victims was a 10-year-old child, BY Name Jamila, who was violently torn from her innocent world, highlighting the brutal disregard for the principle of distinction, a cornerstone of the laws of War.

This principle mandates that all parties in a conflict distinguish between combatants and civilians, ensuring that civilians, especially children, are afforded special protection. The deliberate targeting of non-combatants and the use of torture constitute grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions, to which Cameroon is a signatory.

This heinous act not only left a scar on the local community but also underscored the urgent need for accountability, adherence to international law, and the protection of vulnerable populations during armed conflicts. The memory of the young girl and others who suffered underscores the profound human cost of neglecting these legal and moral obligations.

The actions described constitute War Crimes under International law, as they violate core tenets of the Geneva Conventions, specifically Common Article 3 and Additional Protocol II, which regulate the conduct of non-international armed conflicts.

The abduction, torture, and execution of unarmed civilians, including a child, breach the prohibition against violence to life, torture, and cruel treatment, as enshrined in these legal instruments. Moreover, the deliberate targeting of a child underscores a blatant disregard for the protections afforded to minors under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and customary international law.

These acts also contravene the principle of distinction and proportionality, which are fundamental to the laws of war. By targeting individuals who posed no threat and using methods that caused unnecessary suffering, the perpetrators committed a grave breach of international humanitarian law, warranting investigation and prosecution by competent judicial bodies to ensure justice and accountability.

GENOCIDE