Biya’s legacy: From worst jailer to highest killer of journalists

In a span of 41 years, President Paul Biya‘s regime in Cameroon has witnessed a troubling evolution in its approach to press freedom.

Initially promising sweeping reforms, including the democratization and liberalization of a once one-party dictatorship, the liberalization of the press eventually came to pass in the early 1990s, with the enactment of liberty laws.

While this move led to a proliferation of media outlets and practitioners across the country, it also brought about a darker side to press freedom in Cameroon.

Press freedom in the country has been on a steady decline during President Biya’s four-decade-long tenure.

Issues plaguing press freedom range from litigation to jailing and now even the killing of journalists.

This shift in the landscape has drawn the attention and criticism of press freedom advocates worldwide.

Worst Jailer of Journalists Under Biya’s Rule

Since 2014, Cameroon has consistently appeared on the list of the worst jailers of journalists in the world, based on the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports.

CPJ’s 2022 annual report placed Cameroon as the third worst jailer of journalists in Africa, trailing behind Eritrea and Egypt.

According to CPJ, at the end of 2022, five journalists were incarcerated in Cameroon.

These included Ahmadou Vamulke, former General Manager of state-owned Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV); Mancho Bibixy of Abakwa FM Radio; Kingsley Njoka (a freelance reporter); Thomas Awah Junior (a freelance reporter); and Tsi Conrad (a freelance reporter).

CPJ noted that these journalists were arbitrarily detained within an opaque judicial system, which sometimes used military tribunals to prosecute civilian journalists, violating international law.

Five Journalists Killed Under Biya’s Regime

Tragically, at least five journalists are reported to have lost their lives during President Paul Biya’s rule.

They died either in government custody or due to government negligence in addressing issues impacting the state.

1. Bibi Ngota

Editor of the Cameroon Express newspaper, Bibi Ngota died in April 2010 while in government custody, becoming the first journalist to die under such circumstances.

The Federation of African Journalists attributed his death to a lack of adequate medical attention while detained at Kondengui maximum security prison.

2. Samuel Wazizi

Arrested in August 2019, journalist Samuel Wazizi, a local news broadcaster in Buea, faced trumped-up terrorist-related charges.

Tragically, he died in detention, and his family, friends, and colleagues have never seen his corpse.

Calls for the government to provide answers about Wazizi’s death have gone unanswered.

3. Martinez Zogo

The death of Martinez Zogo, the late editor of Amplitude FM, in January this year was a tragic event that shook Cameroon’s media landscape.

He was targeted and killed by state operatives with the involvement of a prominent businessman.

Although high-profile security agents and the alleged sponsor were arrested in connection with his death, the case has received little attention since their detention.

4. Becky Jeme

A female journalist, Becky Jeme, died in the line of duty.

The former Divisional Delegate of Communication of Momo Division in the restive North West Region was killed during a separatist attack on an administrative convoy in Njikwa in 2021.

5. Anye Nde Nsoh

The Bamenda-based journalist was targeted and killed by armed separatist Ambazonia fighters in Bamenda on May 7, 2023.

Calls for an independent investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice have fallen on deaf ears.

In addition to these tragic deaths, numerous other journalists have faced arbitrary arrests and threats for their reporting, often in connection with the ongoing Anglophone Crisis.

Journalists such as Mimi Mefo Takambou, Wawa Jackson, Atia Tilarius, and Nfor Hansen Nchanji have all experienced the chilling effects of reporting on critical issues in Cameroon under President Biya’s rule.

The deteriorating press freedom situation in Cameroon raises serious concerns about the safety and freedom of journalists in the country, highlighting the need for urgent international attention and intervention.

Mimi Mefo Info