A distress call from a traveller has once again brought to light the alleged harassment and extortion by security forces at checkpoints along Cameroon’s highways.
On Saturday, December 28, a traveler recounted a troubling encounter at the gendarmerie post in Koutaba. Two young passengers, one who lost their ID and another who was below the legal age for an ID card, allegedly faced a demand to pay a bribe of 10,000 FCFA each. When they hesitated, the demand reportedly doubled to 20,000 FCFA.
“We feel all of this is because we are Anglophones. We are being treated in our own country as if we are strangers,” one of the travellers lamented.
Similar complaints of harassment and extortion have been shared by other road users. A traveller noted, “I faced similar harassment and extortion on that same road, and I know many others have too.”
The latest incident involved a family member travelling to the village in Nkambe through the West region. According to a source, “An unfortunate situation occurred this morning that has left me angry. My younger siblings were subjected to undue delays and harassment.”
Longstanding Issues Persist Despite Promises
This incident comes just months after a meeting between the transporters’ syndicate and commanders of the 5th Joint Military Region and the 5th Gendarmerie Region. The meeting aimed to address rising complaints of harassment and extortion by security personnel stationed along major roadways.
However, Cameroonians continue to express frustration over the density of checkpoints on certain routes. Passengers frequently face removal from vehicles along the less-than-20km stretch between Sabga and Ndop, forcing them to cross checkpoints on foot and exposing them to alleged harassment and mistreatment.
Citizens are increasingly calling for the government to address these grievances and ensure the fair treatment of all road users, irrespective of their regional background or linguistic affiliation.
Authorities have often said they are working to handle the complaints brought to them, yet the situation keeps deteriorating.
There have been growing calls for the authorities to address the situation given that many now believe the security forces now have their own laws they implement on people in the North West Region in particular and the Anglophone regions in general.
