February 21, 2020, Buea, Fako State, Southern Ambazonia, Cameroon Occupation Forces carried out yet another inhumane act of violence against innocent and unarmed civilians. Eyewitnesses recounted that multiple civilians were forcibly taken from their homes, brutally tortured, and ultimately killed in a deliberate act of terror against the people of Ambazonia.
Among the victims was Mr. Acha Kallanny, a 24-year-old resident of Limbe, who, like many others, fell victim to the senseless brutality of the occupation forces. The attacks were unprovoked and targeted individuals who had no involvement in any form of armed conflict. Families watched in horror as their loved ones were mercilessly dragged away, beaten, and subjected to extreme forms of torture before being executed.
This act is part of a larger pattern of systemic violence, persecution, and extrajudicial killings perpetrated by the Cameroon military forces against the Ambazonian people. These atrocities have instilled fear and panic within local communities, forcing thousands to flee for safety, leaving behind their homes, livelihoods, and loved ones.
The abduction, torture, and killing of innocent and unarmed civilians by the Cameroon Occupation Forces constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law, human rights law, and fundamental principles of war. The following legal frameworks have been blatantly violated:
- Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions (1949): Prohibits the murder, torture, and inhumane treatment of civilians and non-combatants during armed conflicts. The execution of Mr. Acha Kallanny and others is a direct violation of this article.
- United Nations Convention Against Torture (1984): Under Article 1, the use of torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment is strictly prohibited. The Cameroon Occupation Forces’ actions violate this fundamental principle.
- Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) – Article 7 & 8: The arbitrary killing of civilians, forced disappearances, and acts of torture fall under crimes against humanity and war crimes, which warrant international prosecution.
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) – Articles 6 & 7: Guarantees the right to life and prohibits torture, extrajudicial executions, and arbitrary killings.
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) – Articles 3 & 5: Declares that every individual has the right to life, liberty, and security and should not be subjected to torture or inhuman treatment.
This massacre demonstrates a premeditated and systematic attack on civilians, amounting to serious war crimes and crimes against humanity. The international community must urgently intervene to hold the perpetrators accountable and end the cycle of impunity.
GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA