What actually happened at Tole health centre on 30 October 2019
As part of the SCNC-UK Human rights monitoring project ,we look at what happened when Tole Hospital was burnt down.
Background
Tole health centre was set ablaze in Buea ,Southern Cameroons on Wednesday 30th of October 2019.
The act is believed to have been be carried out by Cameroun Soldiers. Their motive was that the Hospital was suspected to be used to treat Southern Cameroons revolutionary fighters wounded in the on going Ambazonia war of independence. So they wanted to make sure anyone wounded or sick should have no access to healthcare ,including the unfortunate civilians they assault everyday as they ravage villages. Unsurprisingly, the government of Cameroon decided to blame the same revolutionary fighters for burning the hospital.
The evidence:
The claim by Cameroun government that Ambazonians or even revolutionary fighters set their own Hospital ablaze is preposterous. Firstly, locals with eyewitness accounts have pointed the fingers at Cameroun Soldiers. The government’s account looks unreasonable since it is a well know fact that the Military of French Cameroun dress up like Ambazonian revolutionary fighters in other to Camouflage their true identity. Burning of houses , villages and Hospitals has been the modus operandi of the rogue military of Cameroun. Journalist Mimi Mefo was unequivocal of the culprits when she twitted about the incident. That same week, another group of BIR soldiers burnt almost an entire village in Bafut in the Northern Zone of Southern Cameroons. At least 20 homes were razed to the ground.
https://twitter.com/Lovert53606288/status/1189820805250764800
Anyone who doubts the veracity of these facts can watch the ground breaking investigative documentary by the BBC about the systematic burning of villages by Cameroun military in Ambazonia.
Interpretation of the facts:
The government of French Cameroun claims it is trying to protect civilians but there is no evidence to support this. On the Contrary, they seem intent to carry out a genocide in Southern Cameroons while the international community silently watches. France trains and supports Cameroun Military particularly the rapid intervention Battalion(BIR), the main unit sent to the front lines and already accused of numerous war crimes and acts of genocide.
The systemic pattern and frequency in which these soldiers burn villages can be no coincidence. They are trained to carry such acts . They have been seen on video carrying equipment to ignite houses. These acts are sanctioned by the military hierarchy, including Cameroun president Paul Biya and even their facilitators the government of France. French mercenaries are directly involved in the training, deployment and coordination of the activities of the BIR Soldiers. Additionally, despite the methodical pattern of burning villages and hospitals , rape of young girls and women,inhumane torture of civilians, there has never been any condemnation from France.
The recent money pledged by Mr Emmanuel Macron for reconstruction in Southern Cameroons is very laughable since France is directly involved in the continued destruction and genocide in Southern Cameroons. Are the villagers whose homes have been burnt down in Bafut ever receive such money to rebuild their homes or lives back? Properly never. Most are now living in bushes or depend on scarce humanitarian support in hope the international community can finally intervene to bring lasting peace.
Conclusion and recommendations
Lasting peace can only be possible by the recognition of the failed decolonisation process of the UN trust Territory of Southern Cameroons. By also acknowledging the ineligible right of Southern Cameroonians to determine their future .The United nations and UN security Council must set out a road-map for an independence referendum where the people can decide their destiny. In the meantime,the world must condemn these war crimes being committed by the military of dictator Biya and make sure those involved are arrested and tried before the international criminal court.
