On February 20, 2026, a military court in Yaoundé handed down lenient sentences to members of the security forces and a pro-government militia linked to the Ngarbuh massacre that took place on February 14, 2020. The massacre resulted in the deaths of 21 people, with the court imposing prison terms ranging from 5 to 10 years, along with modest fines for the offenders. Human Rights Watch criticized these sentences as inadequate and indicative of a broader failure by Cameroonian authorities to hold senior military personnel accountable for their roles in such human rights abuses.

Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, expressed concerns that the prosecution neglected to investigate those who orchestrated the violence, pointing out that the judiciary's shortcomings are exacerbated by a lack of support for the victims' families. The failure to fully address the gravity of the massacre and the lack of comprehensive reparations for survivors and victims' families have left many feeling abandoned and disillusioned with the justice system. They call on the United Nations to bolster efforts to support victims seeking justice and adequate reparations.

This case raises significant questions about the rule of law in Cameroon and the ability of its judicial system to deal with systematic human rights violations. With military and militia members often acting with impunity, the struggle for justice underscores the larger issues facing the country regarding accountability, governance, and human rights, which remain critical for the future of Cameroon's democratic processes. The international community, particularly organizations like the UN, is urged to play a more active role in facilitating justice and reparative measures for affected communities, highlighting the need for reforms within the justice system to ensure accountability for such egregious acts.