The arrest and subsequent transfer of a youth activist from Douala to the Gendarmerie headquarters in Yaounde known as SED, has raised concern within the ranks of opposition politicians.
Batonnier Akere Muna and MRC leader Maurice Kamto have raised alarm at the ‘abduction’ of Junior Ngombe whose only crime has been to mobilize Cameroonians for voter registration and participation.
In a tweet published by Akere Muna, he expressed surprise that the youth who has been rightfully expressing his worries and frustrations, as allowed by the constitution would find himself in such a precarious situation in his own country.
The anti-corruption activist and leader of the Now Movement expressed regret that a young citizen expressing legitimate concerns has become targeted as an enemy, while those who have ripped the state of its resources are offered protection.
“It is concerning that the unpatriotic corrupt and greedy individuals involved in the Glencore scandal seem to receive better protection from the state they have captured, than a young citizen expressing legitimate concerns”, wrote Akere Muna.
He called on Cameroonians to stand together and demand his release.
“This arrest is one too many. Let us stand together to demand the release of Junior Ngombe”, he concluded.
For his part, MRC leader, Maurice Kamto called on President Biya to order his immediate release.
“I solemnly call on the President of the Republic to order the immediate release of this young compatriot who, through his responsible and peaceful civic actions, embodies the conscious and hopeful youth; those who, far from distraction and gossip, question their future and that of our nation,” wrote Kamto in a statement on 26 July.
The MRC leader urged the head of state to bring perpetrators of the arrest to book , noting that such a dictatorial drift does not augur well for Cameroon on the eve of the 2025 presidential election.
“Mr. President of the Republic, there is an urgent need to stop this creeping drift that bodes ill for our country on the eve of a crucial presidential election. It is also the time to demand that the perpetrators of these acts, worthy of the worst lawless states, who use the state apparatus to terrorize the population for political ambitions they lack the courage to assume either within their political party or before the Cameroonian people, be apprehended and judged”, he stated.
Kamto recalled that Ngombe’s ‘abduction’ comes on the heels of that of “another compatriot, Steeve AKAM, known as “RAMON COTTA,” who was extradited under illegal and inhumane conditions from Gabon”.
Ngombe , known as “JUNIOR G32,” was arrested by security forces on Tuesday, July 24, 2024, in Douala, and deported to Yaoundé.
Kamto described him as “young republican citizen” who has has “distinguished himself through his commitment to change via the ballot box and in peace, which involves massive registration of all young people aged 20 and over on ELECAM’s electoral lists.”
He believes the activist may have through his educational and persuasive discourse, “ended up irritating those within the state apparatus who have arrogantly orchestrated and assumed a plot against freedom and democracy in Cameroon.”
