May 23, 2018, Momo State, Northern Ambazonia: In Ngoza, Batibo village, the Cameroon Occupation Forces launched a devastating attack on the community. Pa Ngu, a well-known and prosperous farmer, became a primary victim of this brutal assault.
The forces descended upon his home, slaughtering his cattle, burning down his cherished house, and destroying his possessions, including his car and motorcycle. These were not just material items; they were essential tools Pa Ngu relied upon for his livelihood and to provide for his family. This calculated destruction turned a hardworking farmer into a victim of homelessness and despair, leaving his life in ruins. Many others in the village also suffered similar atrocities, compounding the devastation in the community.
This incident constitutes a War Crime under International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The deliberate destruction of civilian property, targeting non-combatants, and forcibly displacing individuals are explicitly prohibited under the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
- Article 8(2)(e)(xii) of the Rome Statute defines War Crimes as the intentional destruction of property not justified by Military Necessity. By targeting Pa Ngu’s home, livestock, and possessions without legitimate cause, the Cameroon Occupation Forces violated this provision.
- The Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol II, which governs non-international armed conflicts, emphasize the protection of civilian property. Article 14 of Protocol II prohibits attacks on objects indispensable to civilian survival, such as food sources and livestock. The slaughter of Pa Ngu’s cattle directly violates this rule.
- Additionally, forcibly rendering individuals homeless and destroying their livelihood violates the prohibition of collective punishment under Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions.
These actions further breach fundamental human rights, particularly Article 17 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which guarantees the right to property and protection from arbitrary destruction.
The destruction in Ngoza village reflects a systemic strategy of terrorizing and displacing civilians, violating both international humanitarian law and human rights standards. Immediate accountability is necessary to seek justice for victims like Pa Ngu and to prevent further abuses.
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