Cameroon Jails Soldiers Over 2020 Ngarbuh Massacre That Killed 21 Civilians
Three soldiers in Cameroon have been sentenced to prison for their roles in the killing of at least 21 civilians in the country’s conflict-hit Anglophone region, in one of the rare cases where military personnel have been convicted for crimes against civilians.
A military court handed down jail terms ranging from five to 10 years for offences including murder, arson and destruction linked to the February 14, 2020 attack in the northwest village of Ngarbuh. A member of a local militia was also sentenced for related crimes.
Lawyers representing victims and families criticised the punishments as too lenient, describing them as “insignificant” given the scale of the killings.
The convictions stem from a raid carried out by soldiers, supported by a local militia group, which left entire homes burnt and communities devastated. According to Human Rights Watch, the victims included 13 children, and residents were beaten and displaced during the operation.
Although Cameroonian authorities initially denied responsibility for the massacre, the government later acknowledged the army’s role following international pressure and the findings of an investigation ordered by President Paul Biya.
One of the victims’ lawyers, Sother Menkem, condemned the ruling, saying the sentences did not reflect the gravity of the crime. He noted that Cameroonian law provides a minimum of 10 years for serious felonies such as murder and arson, adding that much heavier sentences were expected.
The military court also rejected demands for compensation to the victims’ families, a decision criticised by their legal representatives. Rights groups and lawyers further faulted the trial for failing to prosecute any senior military officers, despite allegations that the soldiers acted under orders.
The case dragged on for nearly six years due to repeated adjournments.
Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis began in 2017, when separatist groups in the country’s two English-speaking regions launched a campaign for an independent state. Since then, both rebels and government forces have been accused of widespread human rights abuses.
The United Nations estimates that the conflict has killed at least 6,000 people and displaced more than 500,000 others, forcing families to flee their homes amid ongoing violence and insecurity.
