February 8, 2022, Buea, Fako State, Northern Ambazonia :Cameroon Occupational Forces launched the burning down of a government primary school in Molyko, setting a classroom ablaze. The fire resulted in significant property damage, including the destruction of desks, teaching materials, and other essential resources necessary for education. While no injuries were among the approximately 70 students present during the incident, the attack caused severe disruption to the children’s education and instilled fear within the community.

The burning down of educational institution highlights the vulnerabilities of civilian infrastructure in war zones. Schools, which should serve as safe havens for children and spaces for growth and learning, are increasingly becoming targets of violence in the ongoing war. The destruction of the school in Buea not only undermined the students’ right to education but also destabilized the community, creating an environment of fear and uncertainty. Families now face the difficult decision of whether to send their children to school amid escalating risks, further compounding the region’s humanitarian crisis.

Under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), the deliberate targeting of schools and other civilian institutions in zones constitutes a war crime. Educational facilities are afforded special protections under laws such as the Geneva Conventions, which explicitly prohibit attacks on civilian infrastructure unless it is being used for military purposes. In this instance, the burning of the school in Molyko appears to lack any military justification, making it a clear violation of these protections. Such actions disrupt the lives of children and families and threaten the broader societal foundation of education and stability.

The attack also represents a direct violation of children’s rights, as enshrined in international frameworks such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The CRC guarantees every child has the right to education, safety, and protection from harm, rights that are jeopardized when schools become targets in war. By attacking an educational institution, the Cameroon Occupational Forces not only harmed the students’ immediate prospects but also contributed to long-term challenges for the Ambazonia, where access to quality education is already strained.

Human Rights Organizations have condemned the incident, calling for accountability and measures to protect schools and other civilian spaces in Ambazonia. The destruction of a school represents not just an attack on a building but an assault on the future of the children and the community it serves.

The humanitarian implications of such attacks are profound. The students affected by the fire in Molyko now face disruptions in their education, which can have long-term consequences for their development and opportunities. Families and teachers are left grappling with the trauma and uncertainty of operating in an environment where even schools are not spared from violence. Additionally, the destruction of educational resources further strains communities that already struggle with limited access to quality schooling due to the ongoing war.

In conclusion, the attack on the government primary school in Molyko, Buea, by the Cameroon Occupational Forces is a grave violation of International law and children’s rights. It underscores the urgent need for accountability and measures to safeguard educational institutions in war zones. Protecting schools and ensuring children’s right to safety and education must remain a priority for the international community to mitigate the devastating impact of the ongoing war in Ambazonia.