The background context of more than five years of ongoing and escalating genocide involves brutal killing of the people of Southern Cameroons. Evidence from the war crimes and massacres committed against the people of Southern Cameroons, has revealed the potential and wicked intent of La Republique Du Cameroun (LRC) to destroy a people who are simply standing on their human right to freedom and self-determination. Over the years, Southern Cameroon has called for peace talks on several occasion, but LRC responded with refusal to join the table for peace negotiations.

This intent to maintain Southern Cameroons in a forceful colonial union and subjection has further been materialised through extreme crimes against humanity such as brutal murders and arbitrary exterminations; series of massacres involving pregnant women and children; forceful imprisonment in deteriorating conditions and deprivation of minimum necessities; denial of the right to fair and impartial trial; inhuman torture and brutal treatments; rape and other forms of sexual violence; arbitrary arrests and disappearance of targeted persons; launching of genocidal attacks against school children; burning of entire villages, businesses and hospitals, preventing the already over-burdened population from gaining access to healthcare services; destruction of properties and livelihood; executions with no respect of human rights or prior judgement by a competent court; general military violence towards civilians, including women and children; preventing the population from gaining consistent access to basic necessities including education; electricity, water and the internet; blocking humanitarian aid from reaching distressed population.

The afore mentioned are just but a few of the atrocities and war crimes perpetuated by the Cameroonian military across the North West and South West Regions of Southern Cameroons. The after math of these war crimes is a deteriorating humanitarian crisis that has forced the death, disappearance, and fragmentation of families especially while fleeing and escaping from the war, and the search for refuge and survival. Others are living with deep pain and grieve from the loss of their loved one.

Thousands have been killed and many more are being murdered daily. Tens of thousands internally displaced and thousands seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. Villages have been transformed into battle grounds by Cameroon military operations, forcefully leaving the surviving communities with no option but to flee to live in the bushes and forests.  The Cameroon military is constantly reinforcing troops and weapons amidst escalating humanitarian crises.  this is a cause for the people to live in perpetual fear and uncertainty.

These facts belong to us, the SCNC community, and we must do our best to raise the challenge of easing the sufferings of our people. A devastated and traumatised generation of lost hopes, and dreams should not be left unattended as this also comes with a heavy toll on their mental and psychological health. The growing insecurity, fears and uncertainties surrounding the conflict has been a major hindrance and stumbling block for foreign aid to reach those affected especially in remote areas where the conflict is heightened. There is very little coverage compared to the scope of humanitarian crisis as those involved in humanitarian aid have themselves been victims of Cameroonian military operations.

So far, we have been able to raise funds and support three orphanages with food banks. These orphanages are the only homes and hope for over 500 orphans, most of which have lost either one or both parents to the conflict. Some of them were picked up by drivers who were driving through their villages and saw them stranded and helpless, with no one to identify with. So sad indeed.

With escalating violence and limited access to conflict zones, more people are yet to be reached. While putting in the best of our resources to support humanitarian needs of our people, we are looking forward to having more donors join us to raise the challenge of not only providing food, but also shelter as well as other necessities like education. We’re only at the very beginning of our initiative to give back to our communities. Soon, we hope to be able to empower different categories of vulnerable people like the refugees, prisoners of wars, widows/widowers, orphans, and young girls.

As a community, we are fully aware of the fact that every action of humanitarian support is an enforcement of hope with the potential to make a difference in the lives of those concerned. We can’t afford to neglect or not pay corresponding attention to their needs especially in difficult times such as they are facing as victims of war. We want to journey alongside those afflicted to support and build their hopes for a better and brighter future. The current scale of humanitarian crisis is enormous. If we can be consistent today, then it will prepare us to become more impactful in that which we commit to achieve. We will continue to listen and support them in our own capacity while proposing an international intervention to initiate peace talks and end the war in Southern Cameroons.

Author: Emilia Efeti Agey