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Paul Njie
BBC News, Yaoundé Malawi's former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has apologised for accepting a cash kickback from a company under corruption investigation.
Cameroon’s military has been criticised by a rights group for delaying to deliver justice over the killing of at least 21 civilians by state forces. In 2017, while still in power, the party was accused of receiving $85,000 (£68,000) from Pioneer Investment in a controversial food rations deal.
The incident occurred in Ngarbuh, a village in the restive North-west region about four years ago. Former President Peter Mutharika was reportedly the sole signatory of the DPP account at the time.
In a statement on Wednesday Human Rights Watch (HRW) decried the prolonged trial of soldiers implicated in the killings since December 2020. In a statement on Wednesday, the party's spokesperson, Shadric Namalomba, said they refunded it "out of regret for receiving money which was tainted with these serious allegations”.
“Hearings have been postponed multiple times, victims’ families have minimal participation in the proceedings, and the court has refused to admit key evidence,“ Lewis Mudge, the HRW’s director for central Africa, said. The Pioneer Investment's chief is currently facing corruption charges for allegedly inflating the amount of the contract with the Malawi Police Service to supply food rations.
The trial has been marred by irregularities, the group added. Youth and Society (YAS), a rights group, filed a court case against the DPP and two other parties.
The Cameroonian government is yet to comment on the criticism made by Human Rights Watch. The DPP disassociated itself from any dealings with Pioneer Foods, saying it was a law-abiding political party.
In February 2020, soldiers and armed vigilante members stormed Ngarbuh village which they suspected was harbouring separatist fighters. The government initially denied its forces were responsible for killing civilians and torching homes. In 2021, the government froze Mr Mutharika's bank accounts and arrested some of his party officials over corruption allegations.
Following international pressure, an investigation into the incident ordered by President Paul Biya showed the soldiers and their aides killed 13 people. Mr Mutharika has accused the current government of politically prosecuting him but the authorities have maintained that they are simply following the law.
However, HRW said they had evidence of at least 21 deaths, including 13 children during the military raid. In June 2020, Mr Mutharika lost his re-election bid to Lazarus Chakwera, an anti-corruption crusader.
Three soldiers were later arrested and charged with murder, and the case is still being heard by a military court. The former president is reportedly planning a comeback in the 2025 general election.
But one of the lawyers representing families of the victims told the BBC his clients “are discouraged”, stating that there is “no will to serve justice in this case”.
Cameroonian forces have been accused of gross human rights violations in their battle against the Anglophone separatist fighters who are seeking independence from Cameroon. The secessionists have also come under fire for atrocities including kidnapping for ransom, torture, and killings.
The trial of the soldiers is due to resume on Thursday.
Read more on the killings of the Cameroon villagers:
Children among 22 killed in attack on Cameroon village
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