children. The crimes—murder, arson, and destruction—were punishable by a minimum 10-year sentence under Cameroonian law, but the terms handed down ranged from five to 10 years per person, a point critics call insufficient. A militia member received a similar sentence. The verdict marks a rare instance of accountability for state forces in Cameroon’s long-running conflict in its two English-speaking regions, where abuses have been reported on both sides. Victims’ lawyers described the sentences as “insignificant,” noting the minimuм penalties for felonies like murder and arson. They argued soldiers were acting on orders from superiors, and criticized the absence of prosecutions against higher-ranking officers. The court also rejected compensation for victims, which drew sharp rebuke from lawyers and rights groups. he case extended over six years, with hearings postponed multiple times. The government initially denied involvement in the Ngarbuh attack but later acknowledged atrocities following international pressure and a presidential-ordered investigation. The broader conflict, driven by separatist forces seeking a breakaway state, has seen widespread abuses attributed to both rebels and state actors. The UN estimates over 6,000 people killed and more than half a million displaced since 2017. (BBC)