Cameroon
Practice Relating to Rule 70. Weapons of a Nature to Cause Superfluous Injury or Unnecessary Suffering
Cameroon’s Disciplinary Regulations (1975) provides that, under the laws and customs of war, it is prohibited “to use any means [of warfare] that causes unnecessary suffering and damage”.
Cameroon’s Instructor’s Manual (1992) provides: “It is prohibited to employ weapons of a nature to cause … superfluous injury.”
Cameroon’s Instructor’s Manual (2006) states:
Precautions required by the law of armed conflict and international humanitarian law
The aim of these precautions is to minimize civilian and military losses:
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Superfluous suffering that is not justifiable for the domination of the adversary is prohibited. Generally, it is prohibited to use means or methods of warfare of a nature to cause unnecessary losses … or excessive suffering.
The manual also states:
Three fundamental principles characterize an armed engagement. [These include:]
…
- a … use of force … that avoids superfluous loss of life and damage.
Cameroon’s Disciplinary Regulations (2007) states:
Article 32: Prohibitions
It is prohibited to soldiers in combat:
…
- to engage in any wanton destruction or any pillage, in particular of private property, and to use any means that cause unnecessary suffering and damage.