April 11 and April 14, 2024, Bafut Agiati, Ambazonia, Cameroon Occupation Forces committed heinous crimes by abducting, torturing, raping, and killing over 150 innocent and unarmed civilians. Eyewitnesses recounted the horrifying ordeal, detailing how civilians, including women and children, were subjected to unimaginable cruelty.

Reports indicate that many victims were forcibly taken from their homes, tortured in undisclosed locations, and executed without trial. Women and young girls were reportedly raped before being killed, further exacerbating the brutality of these crimes. This mass killing stands as one of the most egregious violations of human rights in the ongoing conflict, demonstrating a deliberate campaign of terror against the civilian population.

These actions constitute clear violations of International Humanitarian Law, particularly the Geneva Conventions of 1949, which explicitly prohibit acts of violence against civilians, including murder, torture, and sexual violence in times of conflict. Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions strictly forbids outrages upon personal dignity, including humiliating and degrading treatment, executions without proper judicial proceedings, and sexual violence.

The rape and killing of civilians are also recognized as war crimes under Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which criminalizes willful killing, torture, and sexual violence against civilians during armed conflict. Furthermore, Article 7 of the Rome Statute classifies widespread or systematic attacks against a civilian population, including rape and mass killings, as crimes against humanity.

The systematic nature of these attacks suggests an orchestrated strategy aimed at eradicating communities, instilling fear, and suppressing resistance. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), particularly Articles 3 and 5, guarantees every individual the right to life and protection from torture or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment—rights that were completely disregarded in these crimes.

The international community must intervene to hold those responsible accountable and prevent further atrocities. These War Crimes not only violate the core principles of human rights and dignity but also demand urgent global attention and action to ensure justice for the victims and to stop such grave violations from continuing.

GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA