Activists hail Cameroon’s indictment of Army’s role in civilian killings

By Bola Olajuwon, Assistant Editor

RIGHTS activists on the platform of Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) have hailed Cameroon for admitting that soldiers acting alongside a militia shot dead 13 civilians, including 10 children, in the restive north-west of the country.

CHRDA Founder and Chairman Agbor Nkongho, an Anglophone Cameroonian human rights lawyer, who is also the vice president of the African Bar Association in charge of Central Africa, stated this in a statement he issued yesterday.

He said it was noteworthy that the government finally recognised the responsibility of the military for the massacre that took place in Ngarbuh; Donga Mantung of the North West Region of Cameroon, following the findings of the commission of inquiry that was created by the Head of State.

The statement reads: “It should be worthy of note that on February 16, 2020, upon due investigation, we concluded that the military was responsible for the massacre. After issuing a statement accusing the military of the said massacre and calling for a Commission of Inquiry, we were threatened with legal action.

“We are happy that we have been vindicated. We have to continue advocating for a just and equitable society where the rule of law and respect of fundamental human rights will be the rule and not the exception.

“Congratulations to all the human rights organisations, activists, advocates, journalists, politicians among others, who raised their voices against these gruesome massacre and egregious crimes.

“We must condemn heinous and gross and systematic violations against the population irrespective of the perpetrator.”

Cameroon’s officials had initially denied the army was involved in the killings in Ntumbo in February.

In a statement late on Tuesday, Cameroon’s presidency suggested the deaths were accidental but soldiers tried to cover them up.

Cameroon’s government has been fighting separatists in the region for three years.

At the time of the attack, the UN said 23 people had been killed, including 15 children and two pregnant women. A tally by Human Rights Watch (HRW) said 21 civilians were killed, including 13 children and a pregnant woman, and blamed the attack on no fewer than 10 troops from an elite army unit, who were backed by “at least 30 armed Fulani” militiamen.

The government had denied the army was involved but President Paul Biya responded to international pressure by ordering an investigation.

Biya has ordered the arrest of the sergeant, who led the raid, officials said.