August 14, 2020, Muyuka and Mautu, Both in Fako State, Southern Ambazonia, became the sites of yet another tragic episode of violence inflicted by the Cameroon Occupation Forces. What began as an ordinary day for the residents quickly turned into a nightmare when heavily armed soldiers stormed the communities, bringing with them death, terror, and destruction.

These forces, rather than maintaining peace or order, carried out a horrific operation of abduction, torture, and extrajudicial execution of at least five or more innocent and unarmed civilians, leaving the entire region in mourning.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of utter horror as soldiers moved from house to house, forcefully removing civilians from their homes without any justification or due process. The victims, who included both men and women, were restrained and subjected to inhumane treatment, enduring severe beatings, psychological torment, and brutal torture.

Cries for mercy were met with indifference, as the soldiers carried out their orders with calculated cruelty. Some of the victims were dragged through the streets, their battered bodies displayed as a show of power, instilling fear into the hearts of the remaining villagers.

After enduring unspeakable suffering, the abducted civilians were executed in cold blood, their lives cut short without trial, defense, or explanation. The killings were methodical and ruthless—a blatant demonstration of state-sponsored terror aimed at suppressing and intimidating the local population. The bodies of the slain were abandoned, serving as both a grim warning to survivors and a testament to the unchecked brutality of the occupying forces.

The impact of this massacre extends far beyond the immediate loss of life. Families have been shattered, communities left traumatized, and an overwhelming sense of fear now looms over the region.

The people of Muyuka and Mautu, once able to find solace in their homes, now live under the constant threat of persecution and violence at the hands of those meant to protect them. The continued targeting of civilians, particularly those uninvolved in any conflict, stands as a grave violation of international law and human rights principles.

The abduction, torture, and execution of unarmed civilians constitute War Crimes and crimes against humanity under International Humanitarian Law. Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions explicitly prohibits murder, torture, and inhumane treatment of civilians, all of which were carried out in this attack.

Article 8(2)(c)(i) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) further classifies violence against civilians, including summary executions and torture, as war crimes. Additionally, Article 7 of the Rome Statute defines widespread or systematic attacks against civilians as crimes against humanity, which applies to this case due to the targeted nature of the massacre. These egregious violations demand urgent international investigation and accountability, ensuring that those responsible face justice for their crimes.