December 2020, Mezam State, Northern Ambazonia, Cameroon Occupation Forces launched yet another brutal operation, marked by terror, violence, and the ruthless targeting of innocent civilians.

In what should have been an ordinary day, the village was suddenly turned into a scene of horror as armed forces stormed the area, abducting unarmed civilians without cause or provocation.

The raid was indiscriminate, sparing neither men nor women, nor even the elderly, as helpless villagers were forcefully dragged from their homes and subjected to inhumane treatment. Among the victims of this atrocity was an elderly woman named Mama Ngwafku, a respected member of the community who, like others, fell prey to the barbaric acts of the occupying forces. Witnesses recounted the terror of seeing their loved ones rounded up, beaten, and subjected to excruciating torture at the hands of the soldiers, who seemed determined to instill fear and break the spirit of the people.

The agony inflicted upon the victims was relentless—many endured unbearable suffering before being cruelly executed, their lives cut short in acts of senseless violence. The brutality extended beyond physical harm, leaving psychological scars on the surviving community members, who were left traumatized and grieving.

The targeted nature of these abductions and killings, particularly against women and the elderly, highlighted the ruthless disregard for human dignity and life. Families were left mourning the loss of their loved ones, while the wider community remained trapped in an atmosphere of terror and oppression.

The heinous acts committed that day in Mezam State were not isolated incidents but part of a systematic campaign of violence aimed at instilling fear and subjugating the people of Ambazonia. The absence of justice for the victims only deepens the wounds of those left behind, as they continue to seek accountability for the atrocities committed against their loved ones.

This act constitutes a War Crime Under International Law, violating key provisions of the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The abduction, torture, and execution of unarmed civilians—especially the targeted killing of an elderly woman, Mama Ngwafku—directly contravene Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits acts of violence, murder, torture, and inhumane treatment against non-combatants.

The execution of civilians, particularly women and the elderly, also violates Article 8 of the Rome Statute, which classifies willful killings and torture as war crimes. Furthermore, the systematic and widespread nature of these attacks against civilians may also constitute crimes against humanity, as outlined in Article 7 of the Rome Statute, which condemns deliberate attacks on civilian populations. The perpetrators of these crimes must be held accountable under international law to ensure justice for the victims and prevent further atrocities.

GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA