The publication of the findings by the independent Commission of Inquiry over the Ngarbuh-Ntumbaw massacre in Donga Mantung Division, Northwest Region, has spilt varied reactions from various stakeholders.
Following the publication, Human Rights Lawyer and Founder of Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, Agbor Nkongho said he was happy to have been vindicated by the report as he amongst others, had received threats with legal action for accusing the military of being behind the massacre over a score of villagers.
“It should be worthy of note that on 16 February 2020, upon due investigation, we concluded that the military was responsible for the massacre. After issuing a statement accusing the military of the said massacre and calling for a Commission of Inquiry, we were threatened with legal action” he said.
Another frontline regime critic and opposition figure, Kah Wallah President of the CPP party believes its justice at last for the women and children of Ngarbuh, though much still left undone.
“Our democracy has taken a small but firm step forward. Thousands of voices were raised to demand justice for Ngarbuh” she said. “While this result is far from 100% satisfactory, it is the best we have obtained after atrocities committed by the government of Cameroon.”
Kah Wallah alongside other rights activists like Alice Kom, Michele Ndoki, Charlotte Tchakounte, all described as ‘Mothers of the Nation’, had staged a protest in black demanding justice for the helpless victims of the military atrocity in Ngarbuh during the night of February 13 and 14, 2020
Many diplomatic missions in Cameroon have lauded the transparency in the reports.
The U.S. Embassy is pleased to see Cameroon take steps towards transparency for the Feb14 attack at Ngarbuh, releasing its investigation report today. We welcome the news it plans to hold to account those suspected of carrying out this action and trying to cover it up, the embassy tweeted.
The report published, holds to account the five military men including Major Nyiangono Ze Charles Eric for failing to supervise the military operation and Sergeant Baba Guida for falsifying reports of the operation on which government relied on in its initial stand as well as 17 vigilante members who are all on the run
Speaking to News Upfront, a villager of Ngarbuh appreciated the report but insist on seeing all the involved persons in a public hearing before he can believe justice has been served to his mothers, brothers and sisters.
However, some critics say the report of the Commission of Inquiry, lacks essential facts.
They say the report left out the total number of persons who died in the attack, houses destroyed, where survivors of the attack have been kept or what is to be put in place to reconcile the locals of Ngarbuh and settlers – fulanis who constituted the vigilante committee.
International lawyer, LL. M Scholar at the Fribourg University of Law School, Switzerland, Barrister Valery Orock says the report of the findings has given leverage for international justice institutions to re-open investigation into on going massacres and recurrent violations of the rights to life.
“Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 6 of the Convention on Civil and Political rights, Article 6 on the Convention on the Right of a Child and Article 6 of the African Charter punish the perpetrators in accordance with the norms” he said.
The report of the findings are just sufficient proof that there exist ongoing war crimes in Cameroon which needs to be seen to, Barrister Valery added.
“I see in the reports carrying the names of some soldiers. They ain’t enough. For justice should not only be done but should be seen to be done, the identities of these perpetrators should be perfectly verified and made public for transparency and accountability purposes which forms the very essence of the duties of every governments to her citizens, which that of Cameroon should not be indifferent”
I believe it is high time for Cameroon to stand by the very fabrics of the constitution of the Country in seeing into the fact justice must be served not only to the Ngarbuh people but to the people particularly in the crises regions of the country, the legal mind asserted.
As Cameroonians continue to digest the report which came as a shocker that Yaounde admitted the “professionalism” of its soldier, many believe that aside from the Ngarbuh massacre, several other heinous crimes in the 3year war should be uncovered with the perpetrators punished accordingly.
By Macwalter Njapteh
