June 8, 2024, Buea Southern Ambazonia: The Governing Council (AGovC) exposed a systematic kidnapping-for-ransom network operated by multiple cells linked to the CAMEROON OCCUPATION FORCES. This criminal enterprise is deeply embedded within the Militaire Camerounaise, a state-backed terrorist group composed of various military units.

State-Sanctioned Criminal Syndicate

According to AGovC intelligence, the network consists of 236 cells spread across 59 chief towns in Ambazonia. These cells are affiliated with CAMEROON’S security apparatus, including Securite Militaire (SEMIL), Bataillon d’Intervention Rapide (BIR), Gendarmerie Nationale, and Délégation Générale de la Sûreté Nationale. Their operations involve systematic kidnapping-for-ransom, abduction, and extortion, generating nearly 1,840,800,000 FCFA (approximately 3 million US dollars) annually.

Violation of International Laws

The kidnapping-for-ransom operations constitute war crimes under INTERNATIONAL LAWS, particularly the Geneva Conventions, which explicitly prohibit hostage-taking in conflict zones. The actions of CAMEROON OCCUPATION FORCES violate Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, which outlaws cruel treatment, torture, and hostage-taking of civilians. Furthermore, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) defines such actions as crimes against humanity when carried out systematically, as is evident in this case.

Crimes Against Humanity and Human Rights Violations

Beyond being a war crime, these kidnappings-for-ransom represent grave human rights violations. The forced disappearances, unlawful detentions, and extortion of civilians violate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), particularly Articles 3 and 9, which guarantee the right to liberty and security and protection from arbitrary arrest. The CAMEROON OCCUPATION FORCES’ actions further violate the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which protects citizens from state-sponsored oppression.

Call for International Action

In response to these atrocities, the AGovC urges the INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY to take decisive measures. This includes imposing economic sanctions on CAMEROON, initiating an independent investigation, and holding perpetrators accountable through INTERNATIONAL legal mechanisms. Without intervention, the systematic exploitation, kidnapping-for-ransom, and terrorization of Ambazonian civilians will persist.

Demand for Justice and Peace

The exposure of this kidnapping-for-ransom syndicate underscores the urgency for a global response to address the ongoing crimes against Ambazonians. As AGovC continues to document these violations, increased awareness and INTERNATIONAL intervention are crucial to dismantling this criminal network and restoring justice and stability to Ambazonia.

GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA