A military court in Yaoundé, Cameroon, has sentenced three soldiers to prison for their involvement in the killing of 21 civilians during violence in February 2020, which took place in the English-speaking northwest region of the country. This prosecution follows a report from Human Rights Watch, which indicated that government troops, alongside ethnic Fulani militia, assaulted the village of Ngarbuh, resulting in the deaths of many civilians, including children and a pregnant woman.

The violence, attributed to the ongoing separatist crisis in Cameroon, saw the soldiers and militias raiding homes, leading to the destruction of property and further trauma for the local community. Initially, the Cameroonian government disputed the accounts provided by Human Rights Watch and denied any responsibility for the actions of its military. However, under international pressure and following protests from victims' families, the government initiated legal proceedings against the involved service members.

The sentencing of these soldiers represents a rare instance of accountability for military personnel in Cameroon, where such cases are often overlooked or dismissed. While this conviction may be seen as a step towards justice for the victims, it also highlights the ongoing challenges facing the country amidst a protracted conflict, underscoring the need for broader reforms in the military and security forces to prevent future atrocities against civilians.