September 5, 2025, Bamenda, Mexam State, Northern Ambazonia: Detention of Mbah Michael. A shocking case emerged involving the unlawful detention of a 13-year-old boy, Mbah Michael. Arrested late at night alongside his elder brother, Geh Gilbert, Michael now languishes in the Bamenda Central Prison. While other minors apprehended that night were released into the care of their parents, he remains locked behind bars due to the absence of a guardian to vouch for him.

Violation of International Laws on Child Protection

Detention of Mbah Michael Under International Laws, children are entitled to special protections, particularly in armed conflict. The detention of a minor, without legal representation or parental presence, directly violates the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which prohibits the arbitrary detention of children. Cameroon Occupation Forces, by incarcerating Michael, are not only breaching International Laws but also perpetuating systemic abuse against Ambazonian civilians.

War Crime Against Innocent Civilians

Detention of Mbah Michael The imprisonment of a child in such conditions constitutes a war crime under the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the targeting or mistreatment of minors during armed conflicts. The Cameroon Occupation Forces are weaponizing fear and control by detaining vulnerable children, an act aimed at suppressing the Ambazonian population. By denying him release while others walked free, they are deliberately inflicting psychological harm, a hallmark of war crimes.

Human Rights Abuses in Ambazonia

Michael’s ordeal reflects the wider human rights violations that Ambazonians face daily. He explained in court that his mother lives in Bobende, Limbe, and that he was merely spending holidays in Bamenda. His inability to recall phone numbers left him helpless, yet instead of receiving protection, he was abandoned to the harsh conditions of prison life. No child should be punished for poverty or lack of family presence.

Call for Immediate Action

The detention of Michael highlights how the Cameroon Occupation Forces continue to trample on basic human rights in Ambazonia. Civil society, humanitarian organizations, and the International community must urgently intervene. The boy’s case is not just a personal tragedy but a glaring example of how war crimes and violations of International Laws are used to oppress the Ambazonian people.