December 16, 2021, Mezam State, Northern Ambazonia, Cameroon Occupation Forces abducted, tortured, and killed innocent and unarmed civilians. Eyewitnesses recounted that among the victims were defenseless women and children, who were subjected to unspeakable brutality before being mercilessly executed.

The attack was marked by extreme violence, as civilians were forcibly taken from their homes, subjected to severe beatings, and tortured before their tragic deaths. The families of the victims were left in mourning, their loved ones taken in an act of sheer cruelty.

The Cameroon Occupation Forces’ actions instilled fear and suffering among the local population, reinforcing a pattern of systematic human rights violations against the people of Ambazonia. This targeted assault on unarmed civilians, particularly women and children, is a grave atrocity that blatantly disregards international law and fundamental human rights. The wanton disregard for human life displayed in these killings highlights the urgent need for justice, accountability, and intervention to prevent further atrocities.

The Cameroon Occupation Forces’ actions on December 16, 2021, constitute War Crimes under International Law, violating multiple legal frameworks, including:

  • The Geneva Conventions (1949) – Common Article 3: Explicitly prohibits acts of violence against civilians, including murder, torture, and inhumane treatment in times of armed conflict.
  • The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998) – Articles 7 & 8: Defines systematic attacks on civilians, including abduction, torture, and extrajudicial executions, as War Crimes and Crimes against humanity.
  • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) – Articles 3 & 5: Establishes that every individual has the right to life, liberty, and security and should not be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
  • The Convention Against Torture (1984) – Article 1: Criminalizes all acts of torture committed by state agents and holds those responsible accountable.

The deliberate targeting of unarmed civilians, especially women and children, represents a severe violation of International Humanitarian Law. These crimes demonstrate a blatant contempt for human dignity, justice, and the rule of law. The perpetrators of these heinous acts must be brought to justice, and the international community must take decisive action to hold them accountable and ensure that such atrocities never happen again.

GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA