UN shocked and outraged over horrific attack on school in Cameroon

UN shocked and outraged over horrific attack on school in Cameroon

New York (UNA-OIC) – The United Nations has strongly condemned Saturday’s attack on a school in southwestern Cameroon, which claimed the lives of eight children and wounded another twelve.

On 24 October, 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.

UN Secretary General António Guterres called on Cameroonian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that those responsible are held accountable, his spokesperson said in a statement on Monday.

“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,” said the statement, adding that “attacks on education facilities are a grave violation of children’s rights”.

Guterres also called on all armed actors to refrain from attacks against civilians and to respect international humanitarian and international human rights law.

He further urged the parties to answer his call for a global ceasefire, reiterating the UN’s availability to support an inclusive dialogue process leading to a resolution of the crisis in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon.

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