A total of 231 Cameroonians, including 28 women and 203 men, have been expelled from Equatorial Guinea. This happened in a recent operation that has raised significant concerns. According to reports from those who have returned to Cameroon, the deportees were detained for several days before being forcibly removed from Equatorial Guinea. Some of them described being subjected to physical and psychological abuse during their time in detention. The expulsion also involved the forced abandonment of personal belongings and family members.
One of the deported individuals, Bernard, explained that his group were not given any explanation for their detention or expulsion.
“We were detained without notice and made to leave the country without our personal belongings,” he said. “Our phones and other valuables were taken from us.”
Return of Personal Belongings Underway
Efforts are now underway to return the personal belongings of the deportees, including mobile phones and other equipment. However, the process remains incomplete, leaving many individuals in a challenging situation without access to their personal items.
Despite the ongoing efforts to retrieve their belongings, many of the deportees are concerned about the impact of the expulsion on their daily lives and livelihoods. Amina, another deportee, commented on the challenge of being separated from her family during the ordeal. “We were forced to leave everything behind, including our families,” she stated.
Repeated Expulsions by Equatorial Guinea
The mass expulsion of Cameroonian nationals is not an isolated incident. Equatorial Guinea has been accused of repeatedly targeting foreign nationals, particularly those from Cameroon, for expulsion without providing clear justification. This ongoing practice has raised concerns among human rights groups about the treatment of foreigners in the country.
Equatorial Guinean authorities have yet to offer an official explanation for the recent expulsions. However, reports suggest that additional waves of expulsions may occur in the coming days, leading to heightened uncertainty for those at risk of being removed from the country.
Calls for Government Intervention
In light of the ongoing expulsions, deported Cameroonians have urged their government to take swift action. Many have expressed frustration over the lack of protection and support they have received from the Cameroonian authorities.
“The government needs to intervene,” said Bernard. “We were treated unfairly, and we need our government to step in and provide support for those who are still in Equatorial Guinea.”
The Cameroonian government has stated that it is monitoring the situation and exploring ways to assist its citizens affected by the expulsions. However, the response so far has not provided immediate solutions for those who have already been expelled or for those who remain in a precarious situation in Equatorial Guinea.
As the expulsion process continues, there are increasing concerns about the safety and well-being of foreign nationals in Equatorial Guinea. Human rights organisations have called for an end to the arbitrary expulsions, emphasising the need for greater protection for vulnerable foreign populations.
