September 23, 2018, Donga-Mantung and Babessi, Northern Ambazonia: Cameroon occupation forces abducted, tortured, and killed more than forty-one young men, women, and children, leaving many others injured.

The harrowing events that occurred on September 23, 2018, in Donga-Mantung and Babessi paint a grim picture of extreme violence against innocent civilians. Eyewitness accounts describe the Cameroon occupation forces launching an unprovoked assault, targeting defenseless men, women, and children. Over forty-one individuals were forcibly abducted, subjected to brutal torture, and ultimately killed. This ruthless act did not stop at murder, as many others sustained severe injuries while attempting to flee or resist. The attacks caused widespread fear, leaving the affected communities traumatized, mourning their dead, and grappling with physical and emotional scars.

This incident constitutes a War Crime under International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The targeting and killing of unarmed civilians violate Article 3, common to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, which strictly prohibits violence against persons not actively participating in hostilities. Acts such as murder, torture, and cruel treatment of civilians are explicitly forbidden. Additionally, under Article 8(2)(e)(i) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), intentionally directing attacks against civilians, including women and children, is classified as a war crime. The systematic abduction and torture of civilians also breach Protocol II of the Geneva Conventions, which applies to non-international armed conflicts and protects civilians against collective punishment, violence, and inhumane treatment.

The occupation forces’ actions further violate fundamental human rights, particularly the right to life as outlined in Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Abducting, torturing, and killing civilians reflect a deliberate disregard for the principles of distinction and proportionality, which require all parties in conflict to differentiate between combatants and non-combatants.

The events of September 23, 2018, demand urgent international investigation and accountability. Such gross violations of international humanitarian law highlight the need to prosecute those responsible under international legal frameworks to ensure justice for the victims and prevent further atrocities. The suffering endured by the affected communities underscores the devastating consequences of impunity and the necessity of protecting civilians in conflict zones.

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