REACTION OF CONSCIENCE AFRICAINE ON THE BRUTAL MURDERS OF ATLEAST 6 UNARMED CIVILIANS WITHIN 48 HOURS BY ARMED SEPARATISTS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION @CAMEROON

PRESS RELEASE N »_55/CA-NW/LT/24
SUBJECT MATTER : MORE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES WITHIN 48 HOURS IN THE NORTH WEST REGION AS THE ARMED CONFLICT INTENSIFIES IN ANGLOPHONE REGIONS OF CAMEROON.
WE WISH TO BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AS FOLLOWS:
1) That according to dependable sources, 6 unarmed civilians have been killed during 3 different attacks perpetrated by Armed Separatists within 48 hours in the North West region.
2) That among the incidents was that of 3 unarmed civilians killed and 1 injured at the entrance to Oshum Village, Batibo sub division as a result of the explosion of an Improvised Explosive Device implanted by Armed Separatists on the 26th of June 2024.
3) That another case was that of a business man PETER CHARLES CHI AKA CHARLY shots to death by unidenfied armed men with Motorcycles and on civilian attires who stormed his Bar known as » Buy no Buy » opposite Nso Boyz travel Agency, City Chemist, Bamenda on the 27th of June 2024.
4) That the last case is that of 2 unarmed civilian DESMOND NYINYING and MARCEL AWONSANG murdered at Chuhbah carrefour Small Babanki Village, Turbah sub division on the 27th of June 2024 by Armed Separatists according to local sources.
5) That most of the killings seems to be targeted especially the case of Small Babanki and that of City Chemist according to informations from local sources.
6) That Dr. CHO AYABA the leader of Ambazonia liberation, Ambazonia Governing Council (AGovC) a faction of Separatist groups has claimed responsibility for the Oshum attack, though deny targeting civilians. On their Facebook page dated 26/06/2024 he wrote » A special squad of the Ambazonia Defence Forces struck a convoy of enemy Armour Cars.There might have been civilian casualties that we suspect were being used as human shields.I call on our civilians to resist any attempt to be used as bomb trackers or human shields to protect enemy war machines ».
7) That at the time of writing this report, there has not been any official reaction from a local administrative authority or Government Official on any of the incidents.
8) That among reasons for persistence killings of civilians are:

Systemic silence of Cameroon Government and the absent of an Inclusive and Sincere Dialogue between stakeholders in the conflict.
Silence of international Community.The Armed conflict is among the most neglected conflicts around the World as recently confirmed on the recent report of the Norwegian Refugee Council.
Some Separatists leaders are of opinion that only pressure exercise through Violence will force Government to the dialogue table.
Lack of adequate protection mechanisms for civilians are also among reasons why they are vulnerable to numerous attacks.
9) That the targetting of Civilians by belligerent forces in time of armed conflict is prohibited what ever be the motive(s) as prescribed by the Fourth Geneva Convention and other related International legal instruments.
10) That the Republic of Cameroon is indeed a State-party to the Fouth Geneva Convention of 1949 and the Second Additional Protocol to these Conventions relating to the protection of victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts, and must respond clearly and obligatorily to all human rights violations.
11) That it is clearly established without ambiguity that the responsibility for these facts are thus attributed to the State of Cameroon by virtue of International law, under the terms of article 4 and following of resolution 56/83 of the UN General Assembly dated December 12, 2001, on the responsibility of the State for « INTERNATIONAL WRONGFUL ACTS « .
THAT IN VIEW OF THE ABOVE, CONSCIENCE AFRICAINE, NORTH WEST AND LITTORAL REGIONS:
1) Condemns in STRONGEST TERMS, the BRUTAL MURDERS of atleast 6 unarmed civilians and injury of 1 other during 3 different attacks perpetrated by Armed Separatists in Oshum Village Batibo sub division, City Chemist Bamenda and Small Babanki Village Turbah sub division, North West region of Cameroon.
2) PRAY an INDEPENDENT and IMPATIAL investigation is open with immediate effect by competent authority to identify, arrests and prosecutes perpetrators for these heinous crimes.
3) Strongly recommends that Government should immediately establish a protection mechanism to ensure adequate Security for unarmed civilians in these zones who are being subjected to systematic attacks virtually on daily basis because of their vulnerability.
4) Demands an IMMEDIATE AND PERMANENT BILATERAL CEASEFIRE, through INCLUSIVE and SINCERE DIALOGUE with the Separatists and other Stakeholders to seek amicable and durable end of hostilities in Anglophone Regions,
5) Strongly recommends that the Government should scrupulously comply with her International commitments for the effective protection of fundamental human rights, thus violated on daily basis with IMPUNITY.
6) Request the International Community and other friendly Nations of Cameroon to persuade the Government to SEEK a PACIFIC MEANS of resolving the conflict, through Inclusive and Sincere Dialogue.
7) Reminds Separatists that they shall be answerable to all their atrocities perpetrated on unarmed civilians and their dwellings.
Done in Douala, this 28th Day of June 2024
Signed