August 13, 2020, Mautu Village, Fako State, Southern Ambazonia, became the scene of a horrifying atrocity as Cameroon Occupation Forces carried out a brutal operation against innocent civilians.
On that fateful day, heavily armed soldiers stormed the village, leaving behind a trail of fear, destruction, and sorrow. Their mission was not one of protection or law enforcement but one of terror and repression, targeting unarmed residents who had no means of defense.
Eyewitnesses recall the chilling moment when families were forcefully dragged from their homes, their desperate cries drowned out by the ruthless commands of soldiers who showed no mercy. Among those who fell victim to this egregious act of violence was a Man of God, a religious leader known for his dedication to peace, faith, and service to his community.
Despite his sacred role and unwavering commitment to upholding moral values, he was not spared from the brutality of the occupation forces. His hands, which once blessed his people and preached love, were instead bound, his body subjected to unimaginable torture before he was mercilessly executed.
Other innocent civilians also suffered a similar fate, enduring inhumane acts of torture before being executed in cold blood. The victims—unarmed and defenseless—had no opportunity to plead their innocence or escape their gruesome fate.
Their only crime was existing in a land caught in the grip of oppression. The soldiers, acting with impunity, operated without regard for human life or international laws meant to protect civilians in times of conflict. Their violent actions left behind shattered families, orphaned children, and a grief-stricken community struggling to comprehend the magnitude of their loss.
The abduction, torture, and execution of unarmed civilians, including a Man of God, constitute War Crimes and Crimes against humanity under International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions prohibits the murder, torture, and inhumane treatment of civilians in any conflict, all of which were committed in this attack. Furthermore, Article 8(2)(c)(i) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) explicitly criminalizes violence against persons taking no active part in hostilities, including murder and torture.
The execution of a religious leader also violates the fundamental right to freedom of religion, as protected under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Additionally, Article 7 of the Rome Statute classifies widespread or systematic attacks against civilians as crimes against humanity. This heinous act demands immediate international attention, an independent investigation, and justice for the victims, ensuring that the perpetrators of such atrocities are held accountable before a court of law.
GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA