June 18, 2017, Bui, Mezam State, Northern Ambazonia, Cameroonian Occupation Forces carried out a violent operation characterized by the abduction, torture, burning, and killing of innocent and unarmed civilians, including mothers and children.

This heinous act targeted defenseless individuals who posed no threat, underscoring the sheer brutality and indiscriminate nature of the attack. Eyewitness accounts reveal harrowing details of how homes were set ablaze, forcing families to flee for their lives. Mothers clutching their children desperately sought refuge, but many were caught, subjected to cruel torture, and executed in cold blood.

The systematic nature of the violence left a trail of devastation, with communities destroyed and families shattered. This deliberate targeting of civilians, particularly vulnerable groups like women and children, exemplifies a calculated strategy of terror and intimidation aimed at subjugating the local population.

The attack not only resulted in the loss of innocent lives but also displaced countless individuals, leaving survivors traumatized and destitute. The scars of this atrocity continue to haunt the affected communities, demanding urgent attention and justice from the international community.

The actions of the Cameroonian Occupation Forces on June 18, 2017, in Bui, Mezam State, constitute War Crimes under International Law(IHL). The abduction, torture, burning, and killing of innocent civilians violate several provisions of the Geneva Conventions and customary International Humanitarian Law. Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions expressly prohibits violence against persons taking no active part in hostilities, including murder, torture, and cruel treatment.

The targeting of women and children further contravenes the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which requires special protection for children in situations of armed conflict. Additionally, the deliberate destruction of civilian property, such as the burning of homes, violates Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which forbids the destruction of property not justified by military necessity. These acts represent a flagrant disregard for the principles of proportionality and distinction, foundational to the laws of armed conflict.

The calculated and widespread nature of these violations could also constitute crimes against humanity, warranting a robust international response to ensure accountability for the perpetrators and justice for the victims.

GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA BY LRC