May 13, 2025, Maotu/Oweh, In a grave and alarming development, the Cameroon Armed Forces launched a mass abduction operation in Maotu/Oweh, targeting civilians at a local construction site. Among the abducted was Presbyterian Pastor Afor Franklin, alongside thousands of members of his congregation and other innocent civilians. Eyewitnesses describe the operation as sudden and forceful, with no legal warrants or justification provided, causing widespread fear and panic across Ambazonia

Psychological Abuse and Coerced Identification

Survivors and local sources report that the abductees were subjected to psychological torture during the operation. Victims were coerced into having mugshot-style photographs taken by military personnel under duress, a tactic employed to intimidate and dehumanize them. No formal charges were communicated, nor were the victims granted any legal protections, further compounding the violations of their dignity and basic human rights.

Unlawful Detention and Enforced Disappearance

To date, the Cameroonian authorities have not disclosed the whereabouts or condition of those detained. Families of the victims, including Pastor Franklin’s congregation, remain in anguish. This lack of communication, combined with the absence of legal recourse, constitutes enforced disappearance, a recognized crime under international law. It violates the principles of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Forced Participation in State Propaganda

Pastor Afor Franklin, Credible reports suggest that the kidnapped civilians may be forced to participate in Cameroon’s upcoming 20th May National Unity Day celebrations — a day often utilized by the regime to propagate a narrative of peace and national unity in Ambazonia. Forcing victims of armed conflict to partake in state propaganda not only erodes their freedom and autonomy but also directly contravenes the Geneva Conventions and other core international human rights instruments.

Systemic and Repeated Violations

This incident marks the fifth time that Pastor Afor Franklin and his church members have been abducted by Cameroonian forces, highlighting a pattern of targeted repression against religious and community leaders in Ambazonia. The repeated nature of these violations underscores an ongoing campaign of intimidation and control by the Cameroonian regime, designed to break the spirit and resilience of local communities.

International Legal and Moral Implications

The conduct of the Cameroon Armed Forces constitutes a serious breach of International Humanitarian Law, specifically the Fourth Geneva Convention, which mandates the protection of civilians during armed conflict. The actions described, including arbitrary arrest, psychological abuse, enforced disappearance, and coerced political participation, qualify as war crimes and crimes against humanity under International law.

Urgent Call to Action

Human rights organizations, International observers, and legal bodies are urged to:

• Investigate and document these violations immediately.
• Demand the unconditional release of all abducted civilians.
• Hold Cameroonian authorities accountable through international legal mechanisms.
• Provide support and protection for affected families and communities.

The silence of the International community in the face of such grave atrocities only emboldens further abuses. Justice and accountability are not optional they are imperative.