Cameroon - February 2026

On 19 February, a military court sentenced three soldiers to prison terms ranging from five to ten years for their role in the 2020 Homengarbuh massacre, in which at least 21 civilians, including women and children, were killed in the conflict-affected Northwest Region. The soldiers had been found guilty of murder, arson, and destruction of property. The convictions are notable because prosecutions of military personnel for crimes committed against civilians are rare in Cameroon, where rights groups have frequently raised concerns about impunity for abuses linked to the Anglophone conflict. However, observers and legal representatives criticized the sentences as insufficient and noted that no senior military officers were prosecuted, despite allegations that the soldiers were acting on the instructions from their superiors. Nevertheless, the case may strengthen access to justice by demonstrating that members of the armed forces can be investigated, prosecuted, and convicted for violations committed against civilians. 

Sources: The Guardian Post; BBC; Africa News