August 9, 2025, Belo, Boyo State, Northern Ambazonia: Cameroon Occupation Forces stopped, flogged, and violently manhandled passengers traveling to and from Belo. Pedestrians were also targeted in a sweeping act of Collective Punishment in Belo. Cameroon Occupation Forces carried out these actions in the Mbingo market.
Collective Punishment as a War Crime
Under International Laws, including the Geneva Conventions, Collective Punishment in Belo against civilians is strictly prohibited. Punishing civilians for acts they did not commit constitutes a war crime because it targets individuals who are not participating in hostilities. The flogging and assault of innocent travelers in Belo directly violates these International Laws, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the protection of non-combatants.
Market Raid and Widespread Abuse
Following the incident in Mbingo, backup troops from the Cameroon Occupation Forces stormed the local market, indiscriminately beating traders, Ambazonia civilians, and bystanders. No one was spared regardless of age, health, or physical condition. Such acts violate International Laws that guarantee civilians the right to safety, dignity, and freedom from inhumane treatment, adding to the evidence of Collective Punishment in Belo.
Targeting a Vital Lifeline
The Mbingo market is not only an economic hub but also a crucial supply point for patients at Mbingo Hospital. By attacking this market, the Cameroon Occupation Forces inflicted harm beyond the immediate victims, disrupting food and supply access for the hospital’s patients. Under International Laws, targeting civilian infrastructure essential to survival is prohibited and is recognized as a serious breach of humanitarian principles. This disruption further illustrates the systematic nature of Collective Punishment in Belo.
Violations of Human Rights
This incident breaches fundamental human rights, including the right to life, liberty, security, and freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. The violent acts by the Cameroon Occupation Forces contravene multiple human rights treaties, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Call for Accountability
The flogging of passengers, the assault on traders, and the disruption of a hospital-linked marketplace highlight the systematic violations committed by the Cameroon Occupation Forces in Ambazonia. These actions must be documented, investigated, and prosecuted under International Laws to ensure justice for victims and uphold the rule of law in armed conflict.