April 29, 2018, Munyenge Village, Fako State, Southern Ambazonia: Cameroon’s Occupation Forces committed a brutal act of violence against innocent civilians.

The forces burned down homes, destroyed properties, and abducted many civilians, including women and children. Witnesses reported that the forces killed four unarmed individuals, further escalating the suffering in the community.

This attack on Munyenge Village is a clear violation of international law and constitutes a War Crime under the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute.

The Geneva Conventions, particularly Common Article 3, prohibit violence against persons who are not taking part in hostilities, such as civilians. Acts such as killing, torture, and inhuman treatment of civilians are expressly forbidden. The deliberate targeting and killing of unarmed civilians in Munyenge, as reported by witnesses, is a direct breach of this provision. Additionally, Protocol II of the Geneva Conventions, which relates to non-international armed conflicts, explicitly forbids the destruction of civilian property and the unlawful killing of civilians.

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), under Article 8, defines war crimes as “intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such or against individual civilians not taking part in hostilities.” By abducting civilians, burning down their homes, and killing unarmed individuals, the actions of the Cameroon Occupation Forces violate these provisions. The systematic destruction of civilian property and the murder of civilians are clear breaches of the rules governing armed conflict.

In addition to being a violation of international humanitarian law, such acts also contravene the principles of proportionality and distinction, which require that military operations must distinguish between combatants and civilians. The destruction of civilian infrastructure and the killing of unarmed individuals are not only illegal but are also designed to instill terror and create widespread displacement among the civilian population. These actions call for accountability under international law to prevent further atrocities and ensure justice for the victims.