A US-based Cameroonian lawyer, Emmanuel Nsahlai, has stirred controversy by filing a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) accusing Anglophone separatists of committing atrocities in the ongoing conflict. While Nsahlai’s initiative highlights the need for accountability, his focus solely on separatist actions raises concerns about the impartiality of the complaint.
Nsahlai’s complaint, dated February 19th, 2024, details alleged crimes committed by the separatists, completely omitting documented instances of human rights abuses perpetrated by the Cameroonian government. This one-sided approach contradicts the principle of “clean hands” in seeking justice, raising questions about the true intentions behind the complaint.
While individuals can submit information to the ICC, the prosecutor ultimately decides whether to pursue an investigation based on specific criteria outlined in the Rome Statute. These criteria include the severity of the crimes (genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes) and the jurisdiction of the court, which applies to member states or situations referred by the UN Security Council.
Reactions from named individuals in the complaint, including separatist leaders and activists, have been swift and critical. They dismiss Nsahlai’s actions as politically motivated and aimed at silencing their voices rather than pursuing genuine justice.
Mark Bareta, a UK-based activist also named in the complaint, voiced similar criticism on his Facebook page. “Let me be clear: I will never apologise for fighting for Ambazonia’s liberation,” Bareta wrote. “We will continue to support and fund the rights of Ambazonians to defend themselves against Cameroon. And this means picking up arms and continuing to sustain the supply of those arms to the self-Defense Forces.”
Ayaba Cho Lucas, the leader of a different faction of the Ambazonia movement, whose group, the ADF, recently executed two men in public and burnt down property belonging to civilians, was also rightly targeted in the complaint. However, he was bold enough to dismiss Nsahlai’s efforts as futile. “Someone should tell NSAHLAI that help is not coming,” Ayaba wrote on Facebook. “The reason I am making this response is to help my people ignore the desperation of a conman turned into an international legal joke.”
The situation in Cameroon demands a comprehensive approach to accountability. While the ICC may play a role, any investigation must encompass all parties involved in the conflict to ensure fairness and prevent further escalation. Ignoring the documented actions of the Cameroonian government undermines the legitimacy of Nsahlai’s complaint and weakens the pursuit of true justice for all victims.
