Alice Nkom, a prominent Cameroonian lawyer and human rights advocate, has received a summons from the Judicial Police in Bonanjo, Douala. This makes it the third summons she has received from the authorities in recent months. She is expected to appear before the police on January 22, 2025.
Nkom remarked on the timing of the summons in a Facebook post, suggesting that the government’s actions reflect typical behaviour in an election year.
“The machine is on: the FATWA is up and running and will intensify again this year as the presidential election approaches,” she wrote.
Nkom dedicates her career to defending marginalised communities, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals. As such, she has been facing increasing scrutiny from authorities. In December 2024, the Minister of Territorial Administration accused the Central African Human Rights Defenders Network (REDHAC) of conspiring against Cameroon. REDHAC faced a ban, and authorities summoned Nkom for questioning about allegations of supporting armed groups in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon.
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The developments further raise concerns about the government’s treatment of human rights defenders, especially with the presidential election approaching.
The government targets Nkom, among many others. Despite facing threats and legal challenges, she remains resolute in her mission to uphold human rights and advocate for marginalised communities.
