Cameroon: Kidnapped SDF Member of Parliament freed

Honorable Wainachi Honorine, Social Democratic Front Member of Parliament in Boyo Division in the restive Northwest, was released Thursday, February 9, close to five days after she was kidnapped.

The First Vice National Chairman of the SDF party, Hon Joshua Osih, confirmed her release in a tweet about 9pm on Thursday.

“The SDF is relieved with the release from captivity tonight of our MP for Boyo, Hon. Wainachi Honorine who was kidnapped 8 days ago in the North West region of CMR. To God be the Glory,” Osih tweeted.

She was reportedly kidnapped at Bambui, a small town located few kilometres from Bamenda the regional capital, on Sunday, February 5, by armed men suspected to have been Ambazonia fighters.

Honorable Wainachi was reportedly returning from her Boyo constituency, which she had visited.

According to reports, the kidnappers had asked for a ransome of 36 million francs CFA in exchange for her release.

But MMI cannot say whether this ransome was paid before she was freed.

The SDF party had decries her kidnapped and demanded for her release.

“We the SDF are not in power, we didn’t cause the war, they should go after the government which is in power. They can come for the SDF when we are in control. And when the time comes, we will stand for federalism and not decentralisation,” said SDF Secretary General, Maître Adeline Djomgang.

Hon Wainachi Honorine is one among several politicians who have been targeted by armed men in Cameroon’s Northwest and Southwest Regions.

On January 11 last year, unknown gun men ambushed and killed SDF Senator, Barrister Henry Kemende, and in April separatist fighter kidnapped CPDM Senator Regina Mundi.

She was only freed a month later thanks to the BIR soldiers.

By Tata Mbunwe