December 17, 2022, Bamenda, Mezam State, Northern Ambazonia: The burning down of houses by Cameroon Occupational Forces. This incident followed the death of several Cameroon Occupational Forces and Ambazonian Fighters.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the operation was marked by excessive force and a deliberate targeting of civilian property. Houses were set ablaze without regard for the residents’ safety. Also forcing families to flee and leaving them displaced and destitute. This kind of retributive attack has become a recurring pattern. In the ongoing war between the Cameroon Occupational Forces and Ambazonian Fighters. Civilians, caught in the middle, continue to suffer the brunt of the violence, often accused of complicity without evidence or due process.
The burning down of houses during armed War constitutes a War Crime under International Law (IL) particularly the Geneva Conventions. These laws explicitly prohibit the targeting of civilian property and collective punishment. Which refers to punitive actions against an entire community for the actions of a few individuals. By burning homes in response to the deaths of military personnel. The Cameroon Occupational Forces violates these fundamental principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Civilians have the right to safety, protection, and dignity during times of war. The rights that were blatantly disregarded during this operation.
Such acts not only devastate communities but also exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Ambazonia. Families who lose their homes face severe hardships, including displacement, loss of livelihoods, and psychological trauma. The destruction of property further deepens the cycle of suffering, leaving affected individuals with little to rebuild their lives. In Bamenda, the burning of homes serves as a grim reminder of the Cameroon military’s indiscriminate and retaliatory tactics, which continue to worsen the situation for civilians in Ambazonia.
Human Rights Organizations have condemned such actions and called for accountability. International bodies emphasize the importance of upholding humanitarian laws. Particularly, the protection of civilians and their properties during armed war. The deliberate destruction in Bamenda is a clear violation that demands independent investigations and justice for the victims. Without accountability, these atrocities risk becoming normalized, perpetuating further violence and suffering in Ambazonia.
The incident in Bamenda reflects a broader issue within the Ambazonian war the failure to distinguish between combatants and civilians. This principle, outlined in International Humanitarian Law, mandates that all parties in war avoid harming non-combatants or their property. However, the actions of the Cameroon Occupational Forces continue to undermine these legal protections, resulting in War Crimes and severe humanitarian consequences.
Lastly, the burning down of houses by Cameroon Occupational Forces in Bamenda on December 17, 2022, is a flagrant violation of International Law and the Geneva Conventions. Such acts of collective punishment not only harm innocent civilians but also erode the principles of humanity that are essential during times of war. The international community must ensure that perpetrators of these War Crimes are held accountable, while urgent measures are taken to protect civilians and prevent further atrocities in Ambazonia.
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