An abandoned classroom in a primary school in southwestern Cameroon. The Government-funded French school closed after receiving direct threats from armed groups.   (file photo)  OCHA/Giles Clarke

By Gary Raynaldo      DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED  NATIONS   – NEW  YORK  – At least eight children were killed and a dozen wounded over the weekend after attackers stormed a school in southwestern Cameroon with guns and machetes, the UN reported. The horrific attack on Saturday was strongly condemned by the UN.  A group of armed men attacked Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy in Kumba, in Cameroon’s restive South-West region.  According to local reports, the victims were aged between 12 and 14.  

“The Secretary-General is shocked by news of a horrific attack on a school in the city of Kumba, in Cameroon’s South-West Region, on 24 October, in which several children were reportedly killed and several others wounded. The attack is another disturbing reminder of the exacting heavy toll on civilians, including children, many of whom have been deprived of their right to education. Attacks on education facilities are a grave violation of children’s rights. “

-Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the  UN Secretary-General

Guterres also called on all armed actors to refrain from attacks against civilians and to respect international humanitarian and international human rights law.  He also urged the parties to answer his call for a global ceasefire, reiterating the availability of the United Nations to support an inclusive dialogue process leading to a resolution of the crisis in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon.

Separatist leader Ayuk Tabe,  expressed his  condemnation of the killing of Kumba schoolchildren,

Report of what happened in a school in Kumba today is terrible. God help us! Anyone responsible for these atrocities must be brought to book. This inhumane #Genocide must be brought to an end now. UNSC Fact Finding Mission & Int Community should intervene & stop these atrocities.

— Sisiku AyukTabe Julius -Official (@sisiku_ayuktabe) October 24, 2020

Separatist leader AyukTabe is currently under arrest

Critics Accuse International Community Of Ignoring Cameroon Crisis and Violence   

More than 3,000 people have died in Cameroon’s armed conflict but very little has been done by the international community including the European Union,  African Union, United States,  in terms of economic sanctions or political isolation on the government of President Paul Biya.

 ‘Worst atrocity’ in Cameroon  Since Schools Resumed

According to the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Cameroon, Matthias Z. Naab, the attack is the worst atrocity since the resumption of the school year on 5 October, in which more students enrolled in the North-West and South-West regions than in recent years. Unrest in parts of Cameroon had affected school enrolment and access to education.

 “Children have a right to education. Violence against schools and innocent school children is not acceptable under any circumstances and can constitute a crime against humanity if proven in a court of law,”  –said Mr. Naab.

Killing of eight schoolchildren new low in devastating Anglophone crisis: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

“The killing of eight schoolchildren inside their classroom is an atrocity that underscores the urgency of protecting ordinary people from the ongoing violence in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions. This horrific attack shows how badly the situation is deteriorating and we call on Cameroon’s authorities to immediately take all possible measures to protect the population.  Over the past year there has been a surge in attacks in the Anglophone region, with many people killed, abducted or injured. The Cameroonian authorities must send out a strong and clear signal that such appalling crimes will not be tolerated, by immediately investigating these killings. The perpetrators must be identified, arrested, prosecuted and tried in a fair trial.”

-AMENSTY INTERNATIONAL