Norway Arrests German National for Alleged Incitement of Crimes Against Humanity in Cameroon

Norwegian police announced Wednesday the detention of a German national of Cameroonian descent, suspected of inciting crimes against humanity in conflict-ridden Cameroon. This marks Norway’s first legal proceedings related to such serious allegations.
The individual, in his 50s and residing in Norway, has not been publicly named. The National Criminal Investigation Service (KRIPOS) believes he plays a central role in the ongoing armed conflict in Cameroon.
Prosecutor Anette Berger stated, “We are in an early phase of the investigation, and there are several investigative steps that remain.” The conflict erupted after a crackdown on peaceful protests in 2016, leading to armed rebel groups mobilizing for the independence of the Anglophone regions, which they refer to as Ambazonia.
The violence between these rebel groups and the Cameroonian military has resulted in over 6,000 deaths and displaced more than 760,000 people, according to the International Crisis Group. Both the military and the rebel factions have faced accusations of committing serious abuses against civilians.
On Wednesday, KRIPOS sought custody of the detainee from the Oslo District Court, citing concerns over potential evidence tampering.
For the past seven years, the protracted Anglophone crisis has devastated communities in Cameroon’s Northwest and Southwest regions, as armed separatists continue their struggle for independence.