Amnesty accuses Cameroonian soldiers of extrajudicial killings

Amnesty International, a human right organisation, has accused the armed forces of Cameroon of committing extrajudicial executions.

In a statement on Thursday, Samira Daoud, deputy director of Amnesty International’s West Africa office, spoke of its investigation into a video showing how soldiers killed women and children at a local village indicted the Cameroonian military.

Even though the ministry of information in Cameroon had dismissed the video as fake, the organisation said extensive analysis of the weapons, dialogue and uniforms that feature in the video, coupled with digital verification techniques and testimonies strongly suggest that the perpetrators of the executions are Cameroonian soldiers.

According to Amnesty International’s analysts, the video was likely filmed in the Mayo Tsanaga area in the far north region of the country.

The vegetation is generally consistent and matches other footage from the area.

“The Cameroonian authorities’ initial claim that this shocking video is fake simply doesn’t stand up to scrutiny,” he said.

“We can provide credible evidence to the contrary. Given the gravity of these horrific acts – the cold blooded and calculated slaughter of women and young children – these hasty and dismissive denials cast serious doubt over whether any investigation will be genuine.

“It is imperative that a proper, impartial investigation is undertaken and those responsible for these abhorrent acts are brought to justice.

“The evidence we have provided forms a firm basis for strongly suggesting that the individuals committing these atrocities are members of Cameroon’s armed forces. Some individuals are clearly identifiable and cannot be allowed to get away with such a heinous act with impunity.

“While the crimes under international law, including war crimes, and human rights violations committed by Boko Haram in Cameroon are despicable, absolutely nothing can justify the crimes being committed by some members of the armed forces.”

The organisation demanded that soldiers be brought to justice in fair trials before ordinary civilian courts.