January 16, 2025, Nkwen, Mezam State, Northern Ambazonia, Cameroon Occupation Forces were caught on camera opening fire on innocent and unarmed civilians in broad daylight at approximately 3:00 PM West African Time.

According to eyewitness accounts, the unprovoked attack left a tragic toll: seven people were shot. Of these, six individuals were rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment, while one woman, who was selling vegetables at the entrance to PMI (Presbyterian Mission Infant Welfare Center), tragically died on the spot.

The harrowing footage captured and corroborated by onlookers depicts the deliberate use of force against peaceful civilians, further exacerbating the climate of fear and insecurity within the community.

The actions carried out by the Cameroon Occupation Forces constitute a War Crime under International Humanitarian Law, specifically violating protections granted to civilians during armed conflicts. According to the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) and its Additional Protocols, civilians are entitled to immunity from direct attacks.

Article 51 of Additional Protocol I explicitly prohibits indiscriminate attacks and intentional targeting of non-combatants. Shooting unarmed civilians, including a woman engaged in peaceful livelihood activities such as selling vegetables, is a grave breach of these principles.

Furthermore, under Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), intentionally directing attacks against civilians not taking direct part in hostilities is classified as a War Crime.

The deliberate targeting of civilians in Nkwen falls squarely within this definition. Additionally, the attack violates fundamental human rights, including the right to life, as enshrined in Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

This incident not only demonstrates an egregious abuse of power but also reflects a systemic disregard for the principles of distinction, proportionality, and necessity that govern the conduct of hostilities under international law.

The targeting of civilians undermines the fabric of international norms designed to protect the most vulnerable during conflicts. The death of the woman at the PMI entrance and injuries sustained by others further highlight the human cost of such violations. These actions underscore the urgent need for accountability to prevent the normalization of war crimes in conflict zones like Ambazonia.

GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA