November 13, 2017, Bamenda, Mezam State, Northern Ambazonia, Cameroonian Occupation Forces carried out a horrifying attack, capturing, torturing, and killing innocent civilians. The atrocity culminated in the bombing of an entire commercial building, a vital hub for civilian livelihoods and businesses. This act devastated the local economy and caused immense human suffering, leaving a trail of destruction that disrupted countless lives.
This incident constitutes a War Crime under International Humanitarian aw (IHL), particularly the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols. The violations include:
Under Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, attacking civilians or civilian objects is prohibited, even in non-international armed conflicts. The deliberate bombing of a commercial building—a non-military target—is a direct violation of this principle.
The capture, torture, and killing of civilians breach Article 32 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which explicitly prohibits torture and inhuman treatment of protected persons. Furthermore, Article 147 of the same convention deems such actions as grave breaches, making them war crimes under international
The destruction of the commercial building violates Article 53 of Additional Protocol I, which prohibits the destruction of property indispensable to the survival of the civilian population. This includes infrastructure necessary for livelihoods, such as markets and business centers.
Bombing a commercial building, likely resulting in numerous casualties, constitutes an indiscriminate attack under Article 51(4) of Additional Protocol I, which forbids weapons or methods of warfare incapable of distinguishing between civilian and military targets.
The incident in Bamenda demonstrates a flagrant disregard for the fundamental principles of distinction, proportionality, and necessity, which are cornerstones of IHL. The deliberate targeting of civilians, coupled with the destruction of essential infrastructure, underscores a calculated effort to inflict maximum harm. Such actions not only result in immediate loss of life and property but also disrupt the socioeconomic fabric of the community, leaving long-term repercussions.
The November 13, 2017, atrocities in Bamenda are clear violations of international law, amounting to war crimes. The actions of the Cameroonian Occupation Forces breached multiple provisions of the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, particularly those protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure. These crimes call for accountability through international mechanisms to ensure justice for the victims and to deter future violations.
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