March 8, 2019, Noni, Mezam State, Southern Ambazonia, Cameroonian Occupation Forces reportedly abducted, tortured, and killed more than 20 youths, leaving many others injured. Eyewitnesses recounted the tragic events, describing the brutal actions that unfolded in their community.

The events reported in Noni, where over 20 youths were abducted, tortured, and killed, constitute grave violations of International Humanitarian Law and are unequivocally categorized as War Crimes. The deliberate targeting of unarmed civilians, particularly youths, breaches the core tenets of the Geneva Conventions, which protect those not participating in hostilities during armed conflict.

Under Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, acts such as murder, torture, and cruel treatment against civilians are explicitly prohibited. Civilians, including youths, are guaranteed protection from violence, intimidation, and arbitrary detention. The alleged abduction and subsequent killing of more than 20 individuals violate these protections and reflect a calculated campaign of terror and violence against the civilian population.

The use of torture, as alleged, contravenes the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to which Cameroon is a party. Torture inflicts severe physical and psychological harm and is universally condemned as one of the most egregious violations of human dignity. When committed in the context of armed conflict, torture constitutes a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Furthermore, the injuries sustained by other individuals during the attack highlight the excessive and indiscriminate use of force. This violates the principles of proportionality and distinction under international humanitarian law, which require that combatants distinguish between military targets and civilians, ensuring that harm to the civilian population is minimized. The intentional targeting and harm of civilians, as reported, breach these principles and reflect a disregard for the rules of War.

The systematic nature of such attacks, if proven to be part of a broader pattern, could qualify these actions as crimes against humanity, defined under the Rome Statute as widespread or systematic attacks directed against civilian populations.

Eyewitness accounts are crucial for documenting the atrocities and ensuring accountability. The international community must act to investigate these crimes thoroughly, hold perpetrators accountable, and provide justice and redress for the victims. Such measures are essential to uphold international law and protect civilian populations in conflict zones.

GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA