The Cameroon Association of English-speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ) has denounced the recent arrest and detention of a student journalist in Buea as a blatant attack on press freedom.
The association, whose Buea chapter president Andrew Nsoseka intervened to secure the student’s release from Gendarmerie detention, has urged Cameroonian authorities to allow journalists practice freely.
“CAMASEJ firmly denounces this blatant attack on press freedom and the right to information,” wrote Jude Viban, the association’s national president.
“The arrest and torture of a journalist for doing their job is a clear violation of democratic principles and the freedom of the press. It sends a chilling message to other journalists and undermines the public’s right to know. The recent abuse is one too many for CAMASEJ members and other colleagues practising in the restive North West and South West regions,” he added.
Camasej’s statement followed the release of University of Buea journalism student, Guy-Bruno Maimo, from the Gendarmerie Legion in Buea on Tuesday.
Bruno corresponds for local newspaper, Volcanic Times, published by Charles Embola.
Epitome of Press Restriction
He was covering a women’s peaceful protest for the newspaper last Thursday, October 24, when gendarmes arrested and detained him.
They seized his phone and denied him from contacting his family or publisher. He spent five days in unlawful detention.
“When we learnt of the incident, CAMASEJ Buea Chapter President, Andrew Nsoseka, joined Maimo’s family and the Publisher of Volcanic Times, Charles Embola, in searching for him from one detention facility to another, until he was found and his release secured last night,” CAMASEJ wrote.
Attacks on the press in Cameroon are not new. Journalists are under constant surveillance and are frequently threatened, kidnapped, arrested, brutalized and killed.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has repeatedly signalled that Cameroon is a dangerous place for journalists, especially those who are critical.
Since the brutal killing of journalist Martinez Zogo in January 2023, several other journalists have been victimized among them Anye Nde Nsoh, and most recently Atia Tilarious.
Camasej urged authorities to “respect the fundamental rights of journalists to freely and safely report”.
