April 1, 2019, Oku, Bui State, Northern Ambazonia, Cameroon Occupation Forces reportedly abducted, tortured, and killed innocent and unarmed civilians, including healthcare workers identified as Ngamsha Gilbert, Fomonyuy Ornella, and Mbuh Priscilia, among others. Eyewitnesses recounted that one of the healthcare workers, Fomonyuy Ornella, was only 19 years old and pregnant at the time of her death.
The events of April 1, 2019, in Oku, Bui State, constitute grave breaches of International Humanitarian Law and are unequivocally classified as War Crimes. The abduction, torture, and killing of unarmed civilians, including healthcare workers, represent violations of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions.
This article expressly prohibits violence to life and person, particularly murder, cruel treatment, and torture of persons not actively participating in hostilities. The deliberate targeting of healthcare workers further exacerbates the severity of these crimes, as such individuals are afforded special protection under the law due to their crucial role in providing care to the sick and injured during conflicts.
The murder of Fomonyuy Ornella, a 19-year-old pregnant healthcare worker, highlights the extreme disregard for human dignity and the protections afforded to women and medical personnel under international law. The Fourth Geneva Convention and its Additional Protocols specifically protect pregnant women and medical personnel during armed conflicts.
Article 12 of the First Protocol to the Geneva Conventions obligates parties to respect and protect medical personnel at all times, regardless of their affiliation, and any attack on such individuals constitutes a serious violation.
The torture of these victims violates the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, a universally binding legal framework prohibiting the infliction of severe physical or mental suffering under any circumstances. The killing of healthcare workers also contravenes international customary law, which recognizes the inviolability of those providing medical services in conflict zones.
These actions may also qualify as crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court if they are part of a systematic or widespread attack against a civilian population. Eyewitness accounts are vital for documenting the atrocities and providing evidence for independent investigations.
Justice for these victims requires international scrutiny and accountability mechanisms to ensure that the perpetrators are held to account and that such violations are prevented in the future. The protection of civilians and healthcare workers is fundamental to maintaining humanitarian principles in times of War.
GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA