International NGOs in Cameroon condemn the attack against Mother Francisca school in Kumba, in the South-West region, and recall that education facilities should never be a target

© Clément Louis Kolopp – 2019

Yaounde, 26 October 2020 – International NGOs in Cameroon strongly condemn the attack against students of Mother Francisca primary and secondary school, in the South West region of Cameroon, on 24th of October, in which it is reported that at least eight children were killed and another twelve wounded. We present our sincere condolences to the families of the children killed, the wounded and their families and all others affected by this horrific attack, which took place only 3 weeks after the resumption of the school year on 5th of October in a region where significant numbers of children have been out of school for three consecutive years.

This attack constitutes another violation of the International Humanitarian Law and of children’s rights, in a region afflicted by armed violence for almost four years.

As INGOs, we remain committed to providing assistance to the population affected by the violence in full agreement with the humanitarian principles and recall that schools and medical facilities should never be targets. Schools should be a safe space for learning for children.

For more information, please contact: Anne Tréhondart, CHINGO Coordinator, [email protected]