What You Need to Know
Three Cameroonian soldiers have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in the killing of at least 21 civilians in the troubled northwest region. The sentences, ranging from five to ten years, have drawn criticism from victim advocates who deem them insufficient given the severity of the crimes committed.
Africa-Press. Three Cameroonian soldiers have been sentenced to prison for their role in the killing of at least 21 civilians in the troubled northwest region.
The prison sentences for these crimes, which occurred six years ago in the northwest region, range from five to ten years for each individual. A military court previously convicted the soldiers of murder, arson, and destruction, which is a rare occurrence in a country where military personnel are seldom held accountable for crimes against civilians.
However, victim advocates expressed disappointment with the length of the sentences, describing them as “minimal.” The convictions relate to events on February 14, 2020, when soldiers, supported by a local militia of the Fulani ethnic group, raided the village of Ngara Bough and killed civilians.
Among the victims were 13 children, according to Human Rights Watch, which added that the attackers burned homes and assaulted residents. This incident marked a rare acknowledgment by the Cameroonian government of the atrocities committed by its soldiers in the English-speaking regions, which have been suffering from a separatist conflict for nearly ten years.
Initially, authorities denied responsibility for the attack on Ngara Bough but later retracted their statement under international pressure and following an investigation ordered by the country’s president, Paul Biya.
In addition to the three soldiers sentenced, one member of the militia was also sentenced to prison for murder, arson, and destruction. “The sentence was very lenient; I consider it to be too lenient because we are talking about a massacre,” said Souther Minkim, one of the victims’ lawyers.
Minkim noted that Cameroonian law stipulates that the minimum penalty for crimes such as murder and arson is ten years. He added, “I expected at least thirty years in prison or more because [the soldiers] instilled great terror in the minds of the people in that area.” The soldiers’ lawyers defended their clients, stating that they were merely performing their duties.
The military court rejected the victims’ request for compensation, which was condemned by their lawyer, Richard Tamfo. Human Rights Watch and the victims’ legal representatives insisted that the soldiers were following orders from their superiors, criticizing the lack of prosecution of any high-ranking military officer. The case has dragged on for six years, with hearings postponed multiple times.
Since 2017, separatist fighters in the two English-speaking regions of the country have launched a campaign demanding the establishment of a breakaway state. Human rights organizations have accused both the rebels and state forces of committing widespread abuses. The United Nations states that the conflict has resulted in at least 6,000 deaths and forced more than half a million others to flee their homes.
The conflict in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions has persisted for nearly a decade, with separatist fighters demanding the establishment of an independent state. This unrest has led to widespread violence, with both state forces and rebels accused of committing serious human rights violations. The United Nations estimates that the conflict has resulted in over 6,000 deaths and displaced more than half a million people from their homes.
