In Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions, a torrent of violence has surged since 2016, spurred by armed separatist groups vying for autonomy for the Anglophone minority. Attacks against communities have escalated, plunging the areas into chaos, while government forces, deployed ostensibly to restore order, have only exacerbated the crisis through their own abuses. A particularly harrowing incident underscores this troubling dynamic: the Ngarbuh massacre of February 14, 2020, where Cameroonian soldiers, alongside armed ethnic Fulani, claimed the lives of at least 21 civilians, including 13 children, leaving a haunting imprint on their community.
Initially, the government denied any involvement, dismissing accusations as mere fabrications. However, facing mounting internal and external pressure, President Paul Biya eventually launched an inquiry. The government later acknowledged the security forces’ culpability, announcing a few arrests in June 2020, yet accountability remains elusive, stirring discontent among the victims’ families.
The military trial, which began in December 2020, has been plagued by persistent delays and procedural irregularities that have stymied progress. Victims’ families have been largely sidelined, key evidence has been dismissed, and high-ranking officials remain uncharged, while several ethnic-Fulani vigilantes accused alongside them remain free. The latest hearing was on October 17, 2024, and the next is slated for February 20, leaving families in desperate uncertainty about justice being served.
This trial represents a crucial test for Cameroon’s government, offering an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to accountability and justice for its citizens. The air is thick with anticipation, yet the slow-moving wheels of justice leave a lingering question: will the judiciary rise to the occasion or remain shackled by inertia?
Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions have been engulfed in violence since 2016 due to separatist activities. The Ngarbuh massacre in February 2020, where 21 civilians were killed, spotlighted the role of security forces in the ongoing conflict. Despite an inquiry and some arrests, the subsequent trial has faced delays and irregularities, leading to frustration among victims’ families. The upcoming hearings will be pivotal in determining if justice will prevail.
The ongoing struggle for justice in the wake of the Ngarbuh massacre highlights the profound challenges faced by victims’ families in Cameroon. With significant delays and a lack of transparency characterising the judicial process, many are left questioning the government’s resolve to hold accountable those responsible for the atrocities. As the next hearing approaches, the hope for accountability hangs precariously in the balance, underscoring the need for serious reforms in the judicial system to ensure justice is served.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
