Belgian authorities have arrested three individuals suspected of involvement in crimes against humanity and war crimes related to the Anglophone conflict in Cameroon. The confirmation by the Belgian Federal Prosecutor's Office underscores the increasing attention being paid to the international ramifications of this crisis.
The suspects are believed to be leading figures in the Ambazonia Defence Forces (ADF), a separatist armed group fighting for the independence of the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon. These regions have been plagued by armed conflict since 2017.
According to the statement from the Belgian Federal Prosecutor's Office, coordinated searches were carried out in Antwerp and Londerzeel, in Flanders. Four people were initially apprehended, but three of them have been placed in pre-trial detention by an investigating judge.
The Federal Prosecutor's Office stated that funds were being collected in Belgium to support the armed struggle in Cameroon, including the purchase of weapons and ammunition. Instructions for attacks were also allegedly issued from Belgian territory. The investigation, which began last summer, targets individuals residing in Belgium and suspected of belonging to the ADF leadership.
These arrests in Belgium come as Ayaba Cho Lucas, leader of the Ambazonia Governing Council (AGovC), has been detained in Norway since September 2024, accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes. His arrest and detention reflect increased monitoring of the Ambazonian diaspora's activities in Europe.
The Anglophone crisis in Cameroon began in 2016 with strikes by lawyers and teachers denouncing the marginalization of the Anglophone regions. In 2017, separatists declared the independence of Ambazonia, leading to an armed conflict with government forces.
The conflict has resulted in over 6,500 deaths and forced more than 490,000 people to flee their homes, according to United Nations estimates. More than 1.5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Human rights organizations accuse both sides of committing abuses.
These arrests in Belgium are part of a series of international investigations conducted in Norway and the United States, a sign of increased attention to transnational support networks linked to the Anglophone conflict in Cameroon.
Although the Cameroonian government claims to have taken steps to resolve the crisis, critics believe these measures are insufficient. Civilians in the Northwest and Southwest regions remain trapped between separatist fighters and government forces, and insecurity persists.
The Belgian Prosecutor's Office has not disclosed the identity of the suspects but has confirmed that the investigation concerns potential violations of international humanitarian law. Belgium applies the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows for the prosecution of certain serious international crimes, regardless of where they were committed.
