In a recent correspondence seen by SBBC, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in the United States expressed its willingness to honor its international human rights commitments before the International Criminal Court.
This response is addressed to the American lawyer of Cameroonian origin, Emmanuel Nshalai, who had petitioned the Norwegian authorities last March to have separatist leader Ayaba Cho Lucas, a long-time Norwegian citizen, brought to justice for his alleged involvement in the abuses committed in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon.
In the complaint filed by Mr. Nshalai in March 2024, he lists the various abuses orchestrated by Ayaba Cho Lucas, leader of the separatist movement Ambazonia Governing Council. “The Norwegian government acknowledged receipt of our correspondence regarding Ayaba Cho Lucas and the complaint filed against him with the International Criminal Court (ICC). They agreed to cooperate with the criminal investigations against him and to collaborate with the ICC,” Nshalai told SBBC. The lawyer also threatened to sue the Norwegian government in international courts, accusing it of not extraditing one of its citizens to answer for these acts. “We then told them that we would file a complaint against them if they did not take action against Ayaba Cho Lucas,” Nshalai confirmed to SBBC.
The Norwegian embassy in the United States reaffirmed that Norway is “committed to fighting impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes that affect the international community,” recalling that the country is a party to the Rome Statute, which created the ICC.
Ayaba Cho Lucas, who has been living in Norway for several years, is considered by many observers to be one of the most brutal separatist leaders. He has repeatedly claimed responsibility for deadly attacks in the crisis-ridden northwest and southwest regions and is the leader of several militias active on the ground.
SBBC
