Andre Blaise Esama arrested for recognising ‘national hero’

An activist called Andre Blaise Esama has been arrested and detained in Douala for erecting a statue of Cameroon’s fallen popular comedian, Jean Michel Kangkang.

Armed policemen stormed a place called Carrefour Ancienne Dalip Wednesday, December 9, 2020 pulling down the statue and equally arrested the activist.

The situation interrupted traffic at the roundabout for several hours .

Andre Blaise Esama, as an activist, has over the years stood for the recognition of Cameroonians by planting their statues in popular junctions and naming streets and other public structures after those that have contributed significantly in painting a good image of Cameroon.

“I think the fight of Esama is genuine and patriotic. It’s needless having statues of former colonial masters that remind us of maltreatment. Let’s have statues of Cameroonians,” a city dweler who witnessed the arrest explained.

This is not the first time Blaise Esama has been arrested for attempting to show recognition to fallen heroes. Four years ago, he was arrested at Carrefour Bonakanuang Douala for trying to erect the statue of John Ngu Foncha. The status was pulled down by the police and dragged on the road to Bonanjo where it has been abandoned.

Andre Blaise Esama has vowed to continue with the fight until Cameroonians will learn how to recognise their fellow compatriots.

Mbatho Ntan.