Cameroon: An International Human Rights NGO has documented a 52 page Human Rights Violations by Separatist Fighters in the Anglophone Regions of the country
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In a 52 page document, the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa has documented the atrocities committed by armed separatists or the Ambazonian fights in the English Speaking Regions of Cameroon. The armed separatists have been fighting for the separation of the then Southern Cameroons (Anglophone regions) from Cameroon since 2016. This conflict has also claimed the lives of at least 5000 persons, causing hard economic conditions and humanitarian crisis.
The report which was published on CHRDA official websitesite on 22 April 2021, has bring together at least 28 major cases of rights violations by the separatist fighters in the English Speaking Regions of Cameroon. These rights violations ranges from killings to extortions and other forms of violations. “These atrocities include among others; killings, torture, wanton destruction of property, retaliatory attacks, the use of IEDs, abductions, harassment and extortion, and other forms of violence, which seriously and disproportionately affect women and children. ”
The CHRDA report indicates that most of these atrocities gainst the civilian population downplays to the fact that they considered some people not supporing thier cause as targets “The report focuses on events from March 2020 to March 2021. It outlines atrocities committed by armed separatist fighters who are battling government forces, and attacking not just the military, but also civilians whom they believe are collaborating with the government, as well as others whom they accuse of violating “Amba Rules.” Criminal gangs and thugs are also wreaking havoc on the civilian population. Abuses by non-state actors include murder, torture, arson of schools and villages, wanton destruction of property, retaliatory attacks, the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), kidnapping for ransom, hostage-taking, harassment and extortion, attack on students and teachers, the use of child soldiers, attacks on aid workers, rape, theft, maiming and beheading of soldiers and civilians, and other forms of violence which seriously and disproportionately affect women and children.”
The report is documented and analysed case after case “The report focuses on a case-by-case analysis of the situation, including the murder of Comfort Tumasang in Muyuka Subdivision, the bombing at the Bamenda Grandstand and the attacks on the Galim police and Gendarmerie post, the murder of aid worker Tanjoh Christopher in the North-West Region, as well as atrocities committed in recent months, including among others: the November 5 abduction of Cardinal Tumi and the Fon of Nso, the murder of Chief Francis Molinga of Liwu la Malale Village in Buea, the attack on the vehicle of a Catholic priest in Santa, and the abductions of the Fon of Mbessa in Belo and the Fon of Kedjom Keku in Tubah Subdivision for taking part in the regional council elections. Non-state actors also abducted and killed many chiefs in relation to the regional council elections.”
The attack against traditional rullers is also discused in the report “Three chiefs were abducted in Buea on December 10, and the Chief of Dipanda Mile 14 was killed in custody. In Lebialem, three chiefs of the Essoh-Attah Fondom were also abducted and killed for taking part in the regional council elections.”
Not leaving the attacks agaisnt the miltary out, the CHRDA report that the Ambazonian fighters have carried out serries of attacks against the military leading to lost of lives and destruction. “There have also been targeted attacks against the military, including using IEDs, which have led to the killing of not only military personnel but also civilians who were caught up in the blasts. Some incidents include the attack on the convoy of the Divisional Officer for Momo Division that led to the killing of Mrs Liwusi Rebecca Jeme and three soldiers in Mbenwi, the attack at the checkpoint between Matazem and Batchoua in Santa, the use of IEDs to disrupt the smooth organisation of African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Limbe, attacks on schools and abduction of teachers, and attacks against unarmed civilians and humanitarian workers, including the February 4 attack on an ambulance in a Doctors Without Borders convoy in Muyuka.”
At the end of the report, CHRDA condemned these gross human rights abuses and violations, and also provided some recommendations for stakeholders, most especially an all-inclusive dialogue with a third-party mediator to find a lasting solution to the crisis, and to hold perpetrators of violence accountable for their crimes. Below are the recommendations from CHRDA
CHRDA emphatically abhors these gross human rights atrocities and reminds all stakeholders of the necessity to urgently prevent further violence and to protect all civilians from grave violations of International Humanitarian Law and human rights law. We also call on the Cameroonian government to immediately discharge its primary responsibility to protect its population by addressing the root causes of violence and ensuring that victims of the attacks are provided with the appropriate protection and assistance.
As it started in December 2020 with the trial of the three soldiers who massacred over 21 civilians including 13 children in Ngarbuh, and the payment of 5 million FCFA each as reparation to the families of the victims, the government should fully investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the serious violations and abuses that have been committed from the beginning of the crisis, and also indemnify the victims’ families for property loss and injuries suffered.
We urge the President of the Republic and the entire Cameroonian government to ensure full respect for human rights, including the rights of women and children, and to ensure that the humanitarian needs of civilians are met.
We urge the separatist fighters to stop all forms of violence against unarmed civilians, including humanitarian aid workers.
We also call on all stakeholders to get engaged in frank and veritable dialogue, to find a lasting solution to the crisis as soldiers and armed men continue to commit human rights atrocities.
Read details or download the full report through the link belowCHRDA_HUMAN_RIGHTS_REPORT_BETWEEN_MARCH-2020-MARCH-2021 ON SEPARATISTS ATROCITIES
or read the original publcation througgh the link below: Human Rights abuses committed by armed separatists in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon between March 2020 and March 2021 – CHRDA
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
