December 19, 2019, Ekona, Fako State, Southern Ambazonia, Cameroon Occupation Forces reportedly abducted, tortured, and executed innocent workers employed by the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), who were simply engaged in their daily pursuit of livelihood, according to eyewitness accounts.
The abduction, torture, and killing of innocent CDC workers by Cameroon Occupation Forces in Ekona constitute War Crimes under International Law. These actions violate Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, which explicitly prohibits violence to life and person, including murder, cruel treatment, and torture of individuals not actively participating in hostilities.
The targeted civilians were clearly non-combatants, engaged in lawful employment to earn a livelihood, making their deliberate mistreatment a grave breach of the principles of distinction and proportionality.
The workers’ abduction and subsequent torture further breach the United Nations Convention Against Torture, which categorically prohibits torture and cruel or degrading treatment under all circumstances. The deliberate targeting of individuals pursuing peaceful work highlights a systematic disregard for human rights and International Humanitarian Law in conflict-affected areas.
The principle of distinction, a cornerstone of International Humanitarian Law (IHR), requires that warring parties distinguish between combatants and civilians, ensuring the protection of those who are not directly involved in the conflict.
The actions of the forces in this instance blatantly ignored this principle, making the killings particularly egregious. Additionally, the targeting of workers engaged in critical economic activities disrupts local livelihoods and exacerbates the humanitarian impact of the conflict.
The accounts provided by eyewitnesses offer crucial evidence for documenting these violations, emphasizing the importance of holding perpetrators accountable through independent investigations and judicial processes.
Failure to address such War Crimes perpetuates a cycle of impunity and undermines global efforts to protect civilian populations in conflict zones, necessitating urgent international attention to ensure justice and prevent recurrence.
GENECIDE IN AMBAZONIA