August 8, 2024, Owe Muyuka, Fako State, Southern Ambazonia: Cameroon Occupation Forces opened fire indiscriminately, killing four innocent Ambazonian civilians. Among the victims was Mr. Ewane, whose tragic death highlights the brutality of this attack.

This act constitutes a War Crime under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), specifically violating the principle of distinction outlined in Article 48 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions. By failing to differentiate between civilians and combatants, Cameroon Occupation Forces committed an atrocity that resulted in the senseless killing of non-combatants, including Mr. Ewane.

The principle of distinction, a cornerstone of International Humanitarian Law, requires parties in a conflict to differentiate between military targets and civilians. Article 48 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions emphasizes that civilians must never be targeted. However, the random shooting that claimed the lives of four civilians, including Mr. Ewane, demonstrates a blatant disregard for this fundamental rule. Such actions violate international standards designed to protect innocent lives during armed conflicts.

According to Article 51(2) of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations are strictly prohibited. By opening fire in a populated area, the Cameroon Occupation Forces ignored their duty to protect civilian lives and property. The killing of Mr. Ewane and three others represents a severe violation of international protections for non-combatants, causing unnecessary suffering and devastation.

The actions of the Cameroon Occupation Forces are not only breaches of International Laws but also severe violations of human rights. The death of Mr. Ewane, alongside other innocent civilians, reflects the harsh reality of the ongoing conflict in Ambazonia. Such acts of violence highlight the urgent need for accountability and justice to prevent further atrocities.

The killing of Mr. Ewane and three other civilians constitutes a war crime under International Humanitarian Law. The International community must hold Cameroon Occupation Forces accountable for their actions to uphold human rights and ensure justice for the victims of these violations.

GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA