Is Cameroon a Failed State? Ewane Roland’s Sister Speaks Out

“Cameroon is in a state of total collapse, and its government is responsible for the suffering, deaths, and disappearances of its own citizens.” These are the searing words of Senge Shaline, the sister of Ewane Roland, a Cameroonian government official kidnapped over four months ago. In a public statement, which she shared with MMI, Shaline has accused President Paul Biya and the Minister of Territorial Administration of failing to act—and possibly being complicit in—her brother’s abduction. Her impassioned call for justice, includes a firm demand for accountability from a government she claims is silent, corrupt, and dangerously negligent.

“Why has my brother been left to rot in captivity while criminals operate freely? Why has the government refused to even acknowledge his kidnapping?” She further asks: “Why does my family have to negotiate with criminals instead of receiving government support?”

Shaline’s plea is not just for her brother—it is for all Cameroonians suffering under a system she describes as a failed state. She raises hard-hitting questions about political kidnappings, corruption, and the government’s ability to protect its own people.

The Kidnapping of Ewane Roland: A Government’s Deafening Silence

The abduction of Ewane Roland, Divisional Officer (DO) of Idabato, occurred on October 1, 2024. Armed attackers stormed his residence, taking him and a municipal employee, Ismael Etongo, hostage. Eyewitness reports suggest the kidnappers, suspected to be pirates from Nigeria, fled across the border in speedboats.

Despite the alarming nature of the crime, the Cameroonian government’s response has been underwhelming at best and nonexistent at worst. Shortly after the abduction, South-West Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai issued a 72-hour ultimatum for the officer’s release, but this directive has failed to produce any results. Since then, there has been an unsettling silence from high-ranking officials, including President Paul Biya himself.

A distressing video surfaced 50 days after Roland’s abduction, showing him bound and pleading for his life. The captors are demanding a ransom of $700,000 (approximately 435 million CFA), threatening execution if their demands are not met.

“My brother is being used as a pawn in a dangerous political game,” Shaline said. “The government has the resources to track down activists within 24 hours, yet they claim they cannot find a high-profile government official?”

A Crisis Beyond One Man

The case of Ewane Roland is not an isolated incident. Cameroon, particularly its oil-rich and conflict-ridden regions, has seen a disturbing rise in kidnappings of government officials. Many suspect these abductions are politically motivated, orchestrated to eliminate threats to powerful figures. Shaline is among those questioning whether her brother’s disappearance is linked to something he may have uncovered.

“Was my brother a threat to powerful people in the administration?” she asks. “Is the government using kidnappings as a tool for political control?”

Shaline’s allegations also extend to the unresolved Bakassi conflict, where militants continue to operate unchecked. She questions why the Cameroonian government has failed to stabilize the region since it took control from Nigeria in 2008.

“If our government is truly in control, why are armed groups ruling over Bakassi instead? What happened to the billions of CFA allocated for development there?” she demands.

International and Domestic Pressure Mounts

As frustration grows, Shaline has issued an ultimatum of her own. In a bold move, she called upon international bodies—including the United Nations, ECOWAS, and major news organizations like CNN and BBC—to act within 24 hours.

“We are watching. We are waiting. And we are NOT asking anymore,” she declared in her message.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s role in the crisis has also come under scrutiny. While Nigerian authorities have reportedly conducted investigations, five Nigerian pastors residing in Cameroon were recently detained on suspicion of involvement in Roland’s kidnapping. This has raised concerns over diplomatic tensions and the handling of cross-border crime.

The Final Countdown

Shaline’s statement is more than just a plea—it is a battle cry against injustice. “If my words offend you, come and arrest me. ..my words make you uncomfortable, you are the problem,” she said. “If you kill me, my voice will become eternal,” she declared, refusing to be silenced.

The clock is ticking. If Ewane Roland is not returned soon, it will not only be a tragedy for his family but another damning indictment of a government that has failed to protect its own people.

Mimi Mefo Info