Cameroonian paralyzes in Algeria, unable to return home

By David Atangana

A Cameroonian is currently trapped in Algeria after a futile attempt to make it to Europe through North Africa.

Frank Wuru Mbua, who is now physically challenged, is facing difficulties returning to Cameroon.

He and other Cameroonians in Algeria told MMI authorities have made things difficult for them. He says that despite spending the required amount and getting the necessary papers needed.

He has been rejected at the airport several times despite paying for his flight tickets to Cameroon.

“I have been to the airport twice. I was sent back the first time after my flight ticket was paid by my family and was sent back again the second time after paying for the second flight,” Frank told MMI.

En route to Europe

The Cameroonian, whose identity document shows that he was born in Tiko, South West Region had embarked on a perilous journey to Europe.

He unfortunately got trapped in Algeria where he fell sick and the situation worsened, leaving him paralyzed after getting some medical attention.

“I was really sick. When I went to the hospital, I was administered some injections which got me paralyzed,” he lamented.

Efforts to have him return to Cameroon have been proving tough.

“My family tried to get in contact with the Cameroon embassy. All documents were processed and the embassy of Algeria in Cameroon accepted that I am in Algeria paralyzed wanting to be sent back to my country,” he went on saying, “The sum of 1.7 million was paid. When I went to the airport they rejected me twice on the grounds that they needed somebody who will accompany me back home. I went to the embassy of Cameroon in Algeria and they said they can not help me out.”

At the time of this report, he was again stranded at the airport in Algeria prevented from traveling for the same reasons.

“I am frustrated and depressed. I have been here since morning with my luggage. I don’t know what is going on. The embassy is not helping matters,” he wept.

Cameroonian authorities silent

This happened after he was discovered paralyzed and assisted by the Cameroonian Community in Algeria so that he can travel back to Cameroon.

“We got information that he is paralyzed and not feeling well. He was very far from the capital. So, we sent an ambulance to go and pick him up. When they brought him to the capital, we took him to a hospital that refused to take him for want of accommodation with his condition. We secured another place for him to stay which is costing 45000frs per day” said a Cameroonian in Algeria.

Frank had travelled with no papers.

With the assistance of the community MMI gathered, some papers were acquired for him but airport authorities said they were invalid.

The Algerian Police issued other documents attesting that he was sick. He was again rejected at the airport on Sunday, August 20, 2023, sparking more confusion.

UPDATES

A few days after MMI’s report, Frank Wuru Mbua, a Cameroonian, who was trapped in Algeria after a futile attempt to make it to Europe finally returned to the Country.

Mbua arrived in Cameroon on Sunday, August 27th, 2023, after MMI’s post indicated that Cameroonian authorities in Algeria have made things difficult for them.

“The authorities did the needful and he was able to fly back to Cameroon this Sunday, he had a very safe flight,” a source close to Mbua who had reached out to us earlier confirmed today.

“The Cameroonian community and the ambassador pay another flight for one Cameroonian lady to accompany him,” he added.