.January 14, 2021, Koke-Mbomo, Fako State, Southern Ambazonia, Cameroon Occupation Forces were caught on camera burning down civilians’ houses. Eyewitnesses recounted that in addition to homes, they also set fire to properties essential for civilians’ livelihoods, destroying businesses, farms, and other sources of economic survival.

This deliberate act of arson and destruction was not an isolated incident but part of a broader strategy to instill fear and suppress the local population. The affected civilians, who had already endured ongoing violence, were left homeless and economically devastated, further exacerbating their suffering.

The destruction of homes and essential property amounts to collective punishment, which is strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law. The systematic burning of civilian infrastructure serves no military necessity, making it a clear war crime and an egregious violation of international legal norms.

This deliberate act of arson constitutes a War Crime under several provisions of international law. The Geneva Conventions of 1949, specifically Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, explicitly prohibits the destruction of private property unless absolutely necessary for military operations. The burning of civilian homes and livelihood structures without military justification is a blatant violation of this principle. Additionally, Article 8(2)(b)(ii) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) classifies the intentional destruction of civilian property as a war crime, particularly when it is not justified by military necessity.

The targeted burning of homes also violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), specifically Article 17, which guarantees individuals the right to property and protection from arbitrary destruction. Furthermore, Article 7 of the Rome Statute categorizes widespread attacks on civilian populations, including acts that deprive them of shelter and means of survival, as crimes against humanity.

The Cameroon Occupation Forces’ actions in Koke-Mbomo clearly demonstrate a pattern of oppression, aimed at forcing civilians into submission through terror, displacement, and economic devastation. Such violations demand immediate international condemnation, thorough investigation, and accountability for those responsible. The global community must intervene to prevent further atrocities, ensure justice for the victims, and uphold the fundamental principles of international law.

GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA