June 16, 2022, Batibo, Momo State, Northern Ambazonia: To begin, three civilians were killed by Cameroon Occupational Forces during a violent operation. Eyewitnesses says that the civilians were tortured before being killed, and their homes were destroyed. Furthermore, victims were targeted because they were suspected of collaborating with Ambazonia Fighters. This tragic incident reflects the worsening Humanitarian crisis in Ambazonia. Also, civilians suffer from violence, property destruction, and widespread Human Rights Abuses.
Moreover,the war in Ambazonia has brought immense suffering to local populations. Civilians are often accused without evidence and subjected to brutal acts, including torture and extrajudicial killings. In Batibo, the deliberate targeting of these three individuals, coupled with the destruction of their homes, highlights a pattern of violence aimed at intimidating communities. Such actions exacerbate fear, displacement, and instability in the region. Families are left grieving, and entire communities are deprived of their homes and livelihoods.
Three civilians were killed constitutes a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The Geneva Conventions and other international protocols clearly prohibit the targeting of non-combatants during armed war. Under International Humanitarian Law civilians must be protected, and intentional attacks or indiscriminate harm against them are classified as War Crimes. Similarly, the destruction of civilian property without military necessity violates these legal protections.
In addition, the event in Batibo mirror a broader trend of Human Rights Abuses in Ambazonia. As the war intensifies, more civilians find themselves caught between the Cameroon Occupational Forces and Ambazonia Fighters. Many innocent individuals are falsely accused of collaboration. Which is leading to their torture, detention, or killing. Meanwhile, the destruction of homes and property further deepens the Humanitarian Crisis. And displacing families and stripping them of basic shelter and security.
International Organizations and Human Rights advocates have consistently condemned such actions, urging all parties to the war to respect civilian protections under international law. The deliberate targeting of civilians, as seen in Batibo, demands accountability. Perpetrators of such crimes must be investigated and held responsible to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
In conclusion, the death of three civilians and the destruction of homes in Batibo by the Cameroon Occupational Forces is a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law. Targeting non-combatants and their property constitutes a War Crime under the Geneva Conventions. This incident underscores the urgent need for International Intervention to protect civilians, address Human Rights Abuses, and bring peace to the war-torn of Ambazonia.