May 23, 2019, Mile 90 Bamenda, Mezam State, Northern Ambazonia, a harrowing incident unfolded as Cameroonian Occupation Forces carried out acts of brutality against unarmed civilians. Eyewitness accounts report that these forces abducted, tortured, and ultimately killed several innocent individuals, including Mr. Ndinga Denis, a 35-year-old builder and bike rider who was well-known in the local community.

Reports indicate that Mr. Denis, along with others, was forcibly removed from his daily activities and subjected to inhumane treatment before being killed. His abduction and subsequent death left a void in his family and community, exacerbating the ongoing suffering experienced by the people in the region.

The forces allegedly targeted civilians indiscriminately, aiming to instill fear and suppress resistance. Eyewitnesses described the horror of the abductions and the profound grief of families torn apart by the loss of loved ones.

The actions were not only a direct attack on the individuals affected but also a blow to the local community’s social and economic stability. These crimes further highlight the plight of civilians in the conflict-torn region of Ambazonia, where violence against non-combatants continues to devastate lives.

The abduction, torture, and killing of unarmed civilians, as described in this incident, constitute War Crimes under International Law. These acts violate Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, which explicitly prohibits violence to life and person, particularly murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment, and torture of persons taking no active part in hostilities, including civilians.

The torture and murder of Mr. Ndinga Denis and others also breach the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984). Moreover, the targeted killings of civilians contravene Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which classifies intentional attacks against civilian populations as a War Crime.

Such actions are a blatant disregard for human dignity, the rule of law, and the principles of distinction and proportionality that govern armed conflict. These violations demand accountability, thorough investigations, and justice for the victims and their families.

GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA