February 17, 2020, Muyuka, Fako State, Southern Ambazonia, the Cameroon Occupation Forces carried out yet another atrocity against innocent and unarmed civilians. According to eyewitness accounts, a civilian was abducted, subjected to extreme torture, and ultimately killed by Cameroonian soldiers.

The brutality inflicted upon the victim was nothing short of inhumane. Eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene in which the individual was beaten relentlessly, suffering severe internal injuries, including fractured ribs and internal bleeding. His body bore gruesome signs of the torture he endured, as the occupation forces inflicted pain with complete disregard for human dignity.

Despite the efforts of concerned citizens who rushed the victim to the hospital in a desperate attempt to save his life, his injuries proved too severe. The trauma he sustained from the merciless beatings was so extensive that his body succumbed to the damage, leading to his untimely death while receiving medical care. This heinous act is not an isolated event but part of a larger pattern of systematic violence, oppression, and targeted killings perpetrated by the Cameroon military against the people of Ambazonia. The inhumane tactics employed by the occupation forces reflect a deliberate attempt to spread terror, silence dissent, and destroy entire communities.

The use of brutal force against an unarmed civilian, the indiscriminate use of torture, and the denial of the victim’s right to life and dignity constitute a blatant violation of international humanitarian and human rights laws. This act represents a clear War Crime and a Crime against humanity that demands immediate international condemnation and accountability.

The actions committed by the Cameroon Occupation Forces on February 17, 2020, violate multiple international laws, including:

• Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions (1949): Prohibits torture, inhumane treatment, and extrajudicial executions of civilians in armed conflicts.
• The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998): Defines torture, murder, and inhumane acts against civilians as war crimes (Article 8) and crimes against humanity (Article 7).
• The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984): Explicitly bans the use of torture by state actors.
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948): Guarantees the right to life, liberty, and security of person—all of which were violated in this case.
• The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (1981): Protects individuals from arbitrary arrest, torture, and unlawful killings by state forces.

The Cameroon military’s continued acts of torture and extrajudicial killings represent grave crimes under international law. The targeting of innocent civilians, the systematic use of violence, and the brutal methods of execution highlight an urgent need for international intervention to hold those responsible accountable and prevent further atrocities.

GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA