August 24, 2024, Mezam State, Northern Ambazonia, Cameroonian Occupation Forces abducted and killed a food vendor, a widow, and a mother of five children, along with five others. Her body, along with the bodies of the five others, was discovered days later beside Azim Hotel.

This heinous act constitutes a War Crime under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) due to the deliberate targeting and killing of a civilian food vendor and five others by military forces. The Geneva Conventions, particularly Article 3, explicitly prohibit acts such as murder, mutilation, cruel treatment, and torture of non-combatants, making this incident a clear violation.

Violation of International Humanitarian Law
The Geneva Conventions are designed to protect civilians during armed conflicts. The abduction and subsequent extrajudicial killing of this widow and food vendor, along with five others, not only breach these protections but also highlight the disregard for human life by the Cameroonian Occupation Forces. Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions protects individuals not taking part in hostilities, including civilians and prohibits violence to life and person, including murder. The actions in Bamenda represent a direct infringement upon these fundamental humanitarian principles.

War Crimes Under the Rome Statute
The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) defines war crimes under Article 8, which includes willful killing and other inhumane acts against civilians. The murder of the food vendor and five others, leaving the widow’s five children orphaned, exemplifies the brutalities faced by civilians in Ambazonia. Such acts are not only violations of international law but also serve as instruments of terror and repression, aiming to instill fear within the civilian population.

Human Rights Violations and Accountability
Beyond war crimes, the incident represents a grave violation of human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to life, security, and freedom from torture or cruel treatment. The murder of the food vendor and five others by the Cameroonian forces contravene these rights, demanding accountability. International bodies must investigate and prosecute those responsible to uphold justice and prevent further atrocities in Ambazonia.

GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA