The forces targeted the community indiscriminately, inflicting terror and loss on its residents. Witnesses recounted harrowing scenes of brutality as soldiers stormed homes, forcibly removing individuals and subjecting them to inhumane treatment. Civilians, including vulnerable women and children, were tortured, and many were subsequently killed in cold blood.

The violence extended beyond the loss of human lives, as the forces set homes, farms, and personal belongings ablaze, effectively stripping the community of its means of survival. The destruction of property and livelihoods deepened the suffering of survivors, leaving them homeless, destitute, and traumatized. This act of collective punishment against innocent civilians represents an egregious abuse of power and a blatant violation of international law.

The aftermath of the attack saw a once-thriving community reduced to ruins. Families were torn apart by the loss of loved ones, while survivors faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives with few resources and little support.

The destruction of essential properties and livelihoods not only inflicted immediate harm but also disrupted the community’s long-term ability to recover. The psychological scars left by this atrocity are immeasurable, as residents grapple with the trauma of witnessing such unprovoked violence.

The attack on Mezam State underscores the systematic use of terror by occupation forces to suppress and control the population, further highlighting the urgent need for accountability and justice.

The actions of the Cameroonian Occupation Forces in Mezam State on March 22, 2017, constitute clear War Crimes under International Law. The abduction, torture, and killing of civilians violate Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits violence to life and person, including murder and cruel treatment, against those not actively participating in hostilities. Additionally, the deliberate destruction of property and livelihoods contravenes Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which forbids the destruction of civilian property unless absolutely necessary for military operations.

These acts also breach the principle of proportionality, as the harm caused to civilians was vastly disproportionate to any military advantage gained. The systematic nature of the attack raises concerns of potential crimes against humanity, underscoring the need for international intervention to ensure justice for the victims and accountability for the perpetrators.