A military court in Yaoundé, Cameroon has sentenced three soldiers to prison terms after finding them guilty of involvement in the killing of 21 civilians during unrest in the country’s English-speaking northwest in February 2020, victims’ lawyers confirmed on Friday.
Background of the Case
The violence, which occurred in the village of Ngarbuh, saw government troops and ethnic Fulani militia raid the community, killing at least 21 civilians, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). Among the victims were 13 children and a pregnant woman. HRW reported that homes were set ablaze, residents assaulted, and property looted during the attack.
Initially, the government rejected claims that its forces were directly involved and disputed HRW’s death toll. However, authorities later opened a legal case, leading to what is considered a rare conviction of military personnel in Cameroon.
Sentences Handed Down
Victims’ lawyers stated the following sentences were delivered on Thursday:
- Sergeant Baba Guida – 8 years’ imprisonment
- Gendarme Haranga Gilbert – 10 years’ imprisonment
- Corporal Sanding Sanding – 5 years’ imprisonment
Conflict Context
The killings took place amid a military operation in Cameroon’s North-West region, one of two English-speaking areas that have endured nearly a decade of armed conflict. The unrest began in late 2016, after President Paul Biya, who has ruled for more than 42 years, ordered a violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrations by English speakers protesting marginalization in the predominantly French-speaking nation.
Since then, at least 6,000 civilians have been killed by government forces and separatist fighters, according to HRW.
Conclusion
The convictions mark a significant, though rare, step toward accountability in Cameroon’s long-running conflict. For victims’ families, the sentences provide some measure of justice, even as the broader crisis continues to claim lives and destabilize the country’s English-speaking regions.
