October 24, 2020, Kumba, Meme State, Southern Ambazonia: was plunged into mourning as Cameroon Occupation Forces carried out a horrific and unforgivable act of violence against innocent schoolchildren.
What should have been a day of learning and growth at Mother Francisca Bilingual Academy turned into a nightmare that will forever haunt the community. The echoes of children’s laughter, once a symbol of hope and a brighter future, were silenced by the brutal crack of gunfire and the anguished screams of helpless victims.
The very institution meant to safeguard and nurture young minds became the site of terror and death, as armed forces stormed the school, mercilessly abducting and executing students who had no part in the ongoing conflict.
Eyewitnesses recounted the terrifying moments as chaos erupted within the school walls. Students, caught off guard and powerless to escape, became the unwilling targets of a ruthless attack. The classrooms, meant to be safe havens of knowledge, were transformed into horrific scenes of violence as the Cameroon Occupation Forces unleashed their brutality on defenseless children. The fear that gripped the students and teachers alike was unimaginable—one moment, they were engaged in their studies, and the next, they were staring down the barrels of guns wielded by those who showed no regard for their innocence.
As the gunfire subsided, the tragic toll of this inhumane act became evident. The lifeless bodies of young students lay in pools of blood, their futures cruelly stolen by an oppressive regime that recognized no boundaries in its pursuit of domination. Parents who had sent their children to school with dreams of a better tomorrow were instead met with the unspeakable horror of finding their sons and daughters brutally murdered. The pain and devastation that engulfed the community of Kumba were immeasurable, as they were forced to grapple with the reality that even their children were not spared from the merciless grip of the Occupation Forces.
The attack on Mother Francisca Bilingual Academy constitutes a war crime under international law and a flagrant violation of several legal statutes protecting civilians and children. The deliberate targeting of schoolchildren violates Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, which strictly prohibits violence against non-combatants, particularly murder, cruel treatment, and hostage-taking. Furthermore, Article 8(2)(b)(ix) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) explicitly criminalizes intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to education, provided they are not military objectives.
The brutal killing of students also falls under Article 7 of the Rome Statute, qualifying as a crime against humanity, given the widespread and systematic nature of the violence. Additionally, the attack grossly breaches the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which guarantees children’s right to education, life, and protection from violence. The execution of students in their place of learning is an unforgivable atrocity, demanding urgent international intervention and justice for the victims.
GENOCIDE VIDEOS IN AMBAZONIA