In the wake of relentless abductions, arbitrary arrests, and the widespread burning of homes, schools, and businesses, civilians in Ambazonia were left with no option but to flee in search of safety. Their desperate journey led them to neighboring villages and countries, such as Nigeria, where they sought refuge from the brutal Cameroon Occupation Forces.

Over the years—spanning 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023—a mass exodus unfolded as thousands of displaced civilians were forced to abandon their homes, driven by an urgent need to escape the escalating violence and oppressive tactics used by the occupying forces. Entire communities were left in fear and despair, as the situation grew more dire with each passing year.

The violence perpetrated by the Cameroon Occupation Forces resulted in the destruction of entire villages, leaving behind a path of devastation and leaving civilians with no safe haven within their homeland.

As families and individuals embarked on perilous journeys, seeking sanctuary in distant lands, the impact of the ongoing conflict became painfully clear. The displacement of civilians underscored the profound toll that conflict and instability take on the lives of ordinary people, as they are caught in the crossfire of geopolitical struggles.

The Ambazonian people’s determination to rebuild their lives, even in foreign lands, shone through as a testament to their resilience and unyielding hope. Yet, the journey was fraught with danger. Many were faced with the perils of treacherous terrain, the threat of violence, or even death, further adding to their hardship.

This grim reality served as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the urgent need for international intervention to address the root causes of the crisis. The global community’s increasing attention to the plight of Ambazonian refugees highlighted the moral obligation to uphold the rights and dignity of those displaced, regardless of nationality or circumstance. Amid the tragedy and loss, the resilience of the Ambazonian people remained a beacon of hope, as they clung to the belief that peace and justice could still be reclaimed.

The situation described exemplifies a war crime as it involves systematic attacks against civilians, a direct violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), specifically the Geneva Conventions. The abductions, torture, killings, and destruction of property are prohibited under the laws of armed conflict.

The indiscriminate targeting of civilians—regardless of their involvement in hostilities—breaches the principle of distinction, which mandates that parties to a conflict distinguish between combatants and non-combatants. This pattern of abuse violates the Fourth Geneva Convention, which protects civilian persons in times of War, as well as Article 3 of the Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions, which addresses the protection of civilians in both international and non-international armed conflicts. The ongoing violence against civilians, including forced displacement and attacks on civilian infrastructure, further constitutes violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and demands urgent action from the international community to hold perpetrators accountable and provide assistance to the victims.

GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA