Cameroon Military Accused of “Severe Human Rights Abuses” in Operation “Clean Bamenda”

Human Rights body, Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa has lashed out at the Cameroon Military for committing several acts of human rights violations in Bamenda.

The international human rights NGO said torture, arbitrary arrests and summary executions of innocent civilians has been rife in the city of Bamenda in the last one month.

In a report made public by CHRDA on October 6, 2020, they reveal that the Cameroon Military has executed over nine civilians as part of their activities in the so-called ruthless “operation clean Bamenda”.

The organization headed by Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla has specifically accused the military for continuous attacks on the civilians, countless unlawful arrests, kidnappings, destruction and looting of civilians property and illegal detentions as well as torture.

CHRDA in their report singled out especially the military’s execution of 11 youths in less than 24 hours across the Northwest and the Southwest regions.

“The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa condemns the murders of unarmed civilians by the Cameroonian military in both the Northwest and the Southwest. CHRDA further notes that in less than 24 hours, between September 21 and 22, soldiers executed 11 people, 5 in the Northwest Region and 6 in the Southwest region,” reported the organization.

In a recommendation to end the crisis in both regions, CHRDA called on the government to end its countless series of human rights abuses and ensure full respect of human rights, including especially the rights of women and children who form the most vulnerable group within the two troubled regions.

CHRDA equally implores the government to ensure all needs of the civilians are met as well as calling on all stakeholders of the crisis to engage in a frank dialogue.

Mimi Mefo Info