Journalists in Cameroon have expressed shock, at the killing of yet another journalist, Anye Nde Nsoh, a newspaper reporter.
Anye was shot dead by Separatists in Bamenda last evening, sources told MMI.
Among journalists who spoke to MMI on Monday is Tarhyang Enowbikah, Publisher of The Advocate newspaper, where Anye Nde worked as Bamenda Bureau Chief.
Having spoken with Anye two hours before he was shot dead, Tarhyang said he was disheartened when he received news of his death.
“Anye was my Bureau Chief in the North-west and West Regions. Passionate in sports and society news. We worked online that evening on the Monday Edition where he had three stories for publication. He left the online editorial meeting at 6pm only to read of his death at about 8pm,” Tarhyang Enowbikah said.
Journalists say the killing of Anye is another bad signal that Cameroon is a dangerous place for journalists.
Nfor Hanson Nchanji, founder of the online news Cameroon News Agency, says it is a sad reality for journalists in Cameroon, especially those in the English-speaking regions.
“Journalism in Anglophone regions of Cameroon is becoming endangered profession. If you are not arrested by State forces or kidnapped by separatists, stray bullet gets you, even in your most comfortable moments. This is a sad reality,” Nfor Hanson said.
Also, Mimi Mefo Takambou, UK-based Cameroonian journalist, and the CEO Mimi Mefo Info, says the killing of Anye clearly signals that Cameroon is dangerous for journalists.
She regretted government’s inaction in the phase of similar attacks against journalists in the past.
“I am shocked. I am saddened by the killing of Nde. No one deserves this at all. The killing of Nde only tells us that Cameroon remains a dangerous zone for journalists. Reporters are not safe from both separatists and soldiers. It’s even worse for the few courageous journalists who are braving the odds to report in the conflict-hit Anglophone Regions,” Mimi said.
Anye Nde was killed just four days after he joined other journalists in Bamenda to celebrate the 30th edition of Press Freedom Day.
The DW correspondent in Bamenda, Jean Marie Ngongsong, says he was saddened by his death.
“Just days we met in a commemorative event on Press Freedom Day – he is no more. When a press man dies this young, imagine the millions of stories that shall never be told,” Ngongsong said.
Freelance journalist, Wawa Jackson, is also concerned about the safety of journalists in Cameroon.
“It is so heartbreaking to hear that Anye Nsoh exited this way. No journalist is safe any longer. We keep seeing colleagues killed for no reason. Whoever did this to Anye will have nature to contend with,” he said.
The death of Anye Nde Nso brings to four the number of journalists who have died in Cameroon since January this year.
The country is still morning Equinoxe TV journalist, Jacques Molong, who died in an accident on May 3, while returning from a news coverage.
Before then, the country was shaken by the gruesome killing of Yaounde-based radio host Martinez Zogo and shortly after, another radio host Jean Ola Bebe was murdered in Yaounde.
Justice is yet to take its course in the two cases.
