In a rare instance of military accountability in Cameroon, three soldiers were sentenced to prison for their involvement in the killing of at least 21 civilians in the Anglophone region. This incident occurred six years ago in February 2020 amidst ongoing conflict, which has seen various human rights violations. The military court found the soldiers guilty of multiple charges, including murder and arson. The sentences vary from five to ten years, which advocates viewed as inadequate and reflective of the impunity often surrounding military personnel. Given the victims' lost lives, their legal representatives describe the penalties as minor compared to the severity of the crimes. The Anglophone regions of Cameroon have been plagued by a separatist struggle, with fighters seeking independence from the predominantly Francophone government. This conflict, which dates back nearly ten years, has led to substantial violence, displacing over half a million people and causing the deaths of an estimated 6,000 individuals. Both state forces and separatists have been accused of serious abuses against civilians, creating a volatile situation that has raised numerous humanitarian concerns. Following the international scrutiny regarding the military's actions, the Cameroonian government initially denied the military's responsibility for the massacre. However, after President Paul Biya ordered an investigation, the government acknowledged the wrongdoing. This acknowledgment marks a critical point in the long-standing issue of military impunity in Cameroon but raises questions about the broader accountability within the military hierarchy, as no senior officers were prosecuted in this case. The gloomy atmosphere that the conflict cultivates often leaves victims' families in fear of facing similar atrocities in the future. The reactions to the court's decision highlight the massive gap between legal accountability and justice for victims of state violence. Many victims and their families call for more substantial punishment, asserting that the sentences reinforce the idea of leniency in cases involving military personnel. Human Rights Watch, alongside legal representatives, emphasizes that there is deeper systemic violence caused not only by ground-level military actions but also by orders from their superiors. This complex dynamic will continue to fuel discussions on human rights abuses in regions affected by such conflicts.