Cameroon: Investigate Disappearance of Political Activist Tchéboa

Yérima Tchéboa

The disappearance of political activist Yérima Tchéboa highlights the increasing crackdown on free speech and political criticism in Cameroon.

Development Diaries reports that the 52-year-old Cameroonian political activist and government critic was picked up in December 2024 by at least two men in N’Gaoundéré, and has been missing for 20 days.

According to findings by Human Rights Watch (HRW), it is believed to be a case of forced disappearance by the authorities.

This is because Tchéboa is known for his political activism on social media, where he has criticised authorities and called for new leadership for the Central African country.

As a matter of fact, he published a message on Facebook in which he accused a ruling party leader of planning electoral fraud, two days before he was abducted.

Detaining someone without legal explanation creates fear and shows a disregard for basic rights. Many citizens now face threats for simply speaking their minds or asking for change.

Enforced disappearances in Cameroon have been a significant human rights concern, with several documented cases implicating state authorities.

Between January 2018 and January 2019, HRW documented 26 cases of incommunicado detention and enforced disappearance at the State Defense Secretariat (SED) in Yaoundé. These cases involved severe beatings and near-drowning to extract confessions from detainees suspected of ties to armed separatist groups.

Also, journalist Samuel Abuwe was arrested in August 2019 and held incommunicado and reportedly died in military custody.

Authorities acknowledged his death only in June 2020, raising concerns about enforced disappearance and lack of transparency.

The government’s silence about Tchéboa’s whereabouts raises serious concerns.

The government of Cameroon has a duty to protect citizens, not silence them, hence ignoring calls for answers would only encourage lawlessness and make people lose trust in the system.

It is also unfortunate that the silence from the authourities would also leave the families of the victims in pain and uncertainty, not knowing what has happened to their loved ones.

When people cannot speak freely or question their leaders without fear, the whole society suffers. A nation grows stronger when people can share ideas and challenge decisions.

Cameroon’s recent arrests of other activists show a disturbing pattern of punishing peaceful dissent. Respecting free speech is key to a fair and just society.

Furthermore, forced disappearances go against international laws and cause lasting harm to families and communities.

The foundation for citizens’ right to demand accountability is established in Article 14 of the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, which affirms that ‘all citizens have the right to verify, either personally or through their representatives, the necessity of public contributions and to oversee their use’.

Also, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights reinforces this right by safeguarding citizens’ ability to hold governments accountable.

Development Diaries calls on the Cameroonian police to commence an investigation on Tchéboa’s disappearance or explain where he is being held if he is in state custody.

Those responsible for his disappearance should face justice. The government must show that it respects human rights and supports the voices of its people, not silences them.

Source: HRW

Photo source: HRW

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