2024-03-04 06:30:24
New alarming episode of restriction of press freedoms in Cameroon. Journalist Elie Baho, a well-known figure in the profession, was forcibly arrested yesterday in Eseka by gendarmes before being transferred to the most infamous detention center in the country: the State Secretariat for Defense (SED) in Yaoundé .
According to our information, his arrest followed a defamation complaint filed by Cathy Meba, niece of President Paul Biya himself. But the most shocking remains the video of the reporter in the middle of the interrogation, filmed and broadcast on social networks without his knowledge and in degrading conditions.
Humiliating images that scandalize his colleagues
In these images which we refuse to publish out of ethical principle, we can see Elie Baho, looking haggard and prostrate, answering the questions of a gendarmerie officer, Colonel Ayissi Nanga. All under the intriguing eye of the complainant Cathy Meba, present during the interrogation in violation of any legal procedure.
A humiliating and degrading scene, perceived as real psychological torture by many observers. Especially since according to several sources, this video was filmed by Ms. Meba herself before being broadcast on social networks, completely illegally.
Enough to provoke disapproval within the Cameroonian journalists’ unions, scandalized by such methods of intimidation. Especially since Mr. Baho seems to have been in the crosshairs of the authorities for several weeks, having been the subject of repeated surveillance and attempted arrests.
Towards the prison box?
Informed of the detention of their colleague, the SNJC has already announced that it will contact the Defender of Rights to obtain his immediate release. But the reporter still risks prison, our editorial team having learned that he was to be referred this very morning to the Yaoundé public prosecutor’s office to possibly be placed under arrest warrant.
A new affair which sounds like a serious warning to Cameroonian journalists: to keep silent or suffer the wrath of the powerful in Cameroon. In total disregard of their information mission and fundamental freedoms…