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Commission des Droits de l'Homme et des Libertés du Barreau du Cameroun
PRESS RELEASE: Condemnation of the massacre of civilians in Gidado (Northwest Region)
Yaoundé, 16th January 2026 – The Human Rights Commission of the Cameroon Bar Association expresses its deep dismay and outrage following the massacre of civilians on Wednesday, 14th January 2026, in Gidado-Mbandfun (Ndu District, Donga Mantung Department).
A devastating human toll
The attack, attributed to armed separatist groups, is believed to have claimed the lives of 14 people, most of whom were vulnerable: six women and seven children aged between 2 and 11. Fourteen people were also seriously injured and are currently being treated in health facilities. The Commission extends its sincere condolences to the bereaved families and wishes the survivors a speedy recovery.
Reminder of constitutional and international obligations
The Commission firmly reiterates that the right to life and security is sacred and inalienable. This barbaric act constitutes a flagrant violation of:
- The Constitution of Cameroon, which guarantees every individual security and physical integrity.
- International instruments ratified by the State, in particular Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Articles 6 and 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which enshrine the right to life and security.
- The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, which proclaims the inviolability of the human person.
State responsibility and the imperative to protect
While strongly condemning the direct responsibility of armed groups, the Commission emphasizes that the State, by virtue of its sovereign commitments, has an obligation to protect its populations from such atrocities. Although commendable efforts have been made, the persistence of insecurity in the North-West and South-West regions since 2017 demonstrates that current measures need to be strengthened to ensure lasting peace.
Recommendations and demands
In light of this tragedy, the Human Rights Commission of the Cameroon Bar Association:
- Calls for an independent and prompt investigation to identify, arrest, and bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice in accordance with fair trial standards.
- Calls on the Government to take urgent, concrete, and effective action to restore the rule of law and the safety of civilians.
- Reiterates its call for inclusive dialogue to find a definitive political solution to this humanitarian crisis and end the cycle of violence that is decimating the population.
The Commission remains vigilant and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defending human dignity and the rule of law in Cameroon.
Done at Yaoundé on 16th January 2026.
For the Bar Association's Human Rights Commission.