The Hague – The Pan African Forum Ltd, an African lobby group based in Kenya, has filed a landmark petition with the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling for an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Cameroon’s President Paul Biya. The 142-page application, submitted on Friday, November 22, 2024, seeks accountability for atrocities committed during the ongoing conflict in the Southern Cameroons/Ambazonia.
The petition accuses Biya’s regime of orchestrating grave human rights violations, including the deliberate targeting of civilians, forced displacements, extrajudicial killings, and widespread destruction of property. The Pan African Forum Ltd has supported its application with extensive evidence, highlighting the brutal military crackdowns on English-speaking communities seeking independence in Ambazonia.
“This application aims to amplify international scrutiny of the ongoing crisis and push for justice for the victims of this protracted conflict,” the group stated.
The Ambazonia conflict, which began in 2016 with peaceful protests over systemic assimilation and marginalization, has escalated into a deadly war between government forces and Ambazonia fighters. Activists and human rights organizations have repeatedly decried the government’s heavy-handed response, accusing Cameroon security forces of committing atrocities with impunity.
The Pan African Forum’s petition also warns of the conflict’s spillover effects into neighboring Nigeria, where refugees fleeing the violence have created humanitarian and security challenges.
Paul Biya, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, has faced growing international criticism for his handling of the conflict. The ICC petition adds to mounting calls for accountability and intervention from the global community.
The timing of the application underscores the increasing urgency of the situation. As violence continues to spiral, critics argue that immediate international action is needed to prevent further loss of life and displacement.
Founded in 2012 in Kenya, the Pan African Forum Ltd is a coalition of African scholars and university leaders dedicated to defending the rights and interests of African people. The organization works to advance African Union objectives at national, regional, and international levels. By filing this petition, the Forum has positioned itself as a key advocate for justice in one of Africa’s most overlooked conflicts.
The ICC has not yet responded to the petition, but the application signals a pivotal moment in the international response to the conflict. If the ICC prosecutor agrees to open an investigation, it could mark the beginning of a legal reckoning for the Biya administration’s actions.
