2024-05-16 02:29:35
Cameroon, already notorious as one of the vital harmful nations in Africa for journalists, has simply written a brand new darkish web page in its historical past. Thierry Kinou Nana, prefect of Mefou-et-Afamba, is on the coronary heart of a powerful scandal after having Engelbert Mfomo, publishing director of the newspaper L’Activateur, arrested and positioned in extended police custody. His crime? Having dared to criticize the group of the Could 1st festivities within the division. An authoritarian drift which says rather a lot concerning the state of press freedom in Cameroon.
Thierry Kinou Nana, prefect or chief censor? 🤐🔒
The affair has been making headlines since final Friday. On direct orders from prefect Thierry Kinou Nana, journalist Engelbert Mfomo was arrested and positioned in police custody. Cause given? An article revealed in L’Activateur, mentioning the “ fiasco » Labor Day celebrations in Mfou. A brave place, which was clearly to not the style of the prefectural authority. Relatively than responding on the deserves, Thierry Kinou Nana selected the sturdy method by muzzling this journalist who was just a little too vital for his style. A technique from one other age, unworthy of a rule of legislation.
5 days of arbitrary detention, and nonetheless no justification! 😰⚖️
Much more severe, Engelbert Mfomo’s police custody was prolonged in a very unlawful method. Unable to justify this arrest, the prefect Thierry Kinou Nana issued an order to “ administrative custody » to maintain the journalist behind bars. A very discretionary choice, which blithely flouts elementary rights and the presumption of innocence. For five days, Engelbert Mfomo has been languishing in detention, with out the slightest rationalization. An actual denial of justice, which sheds harsh gentle on the excesses of the Cameroonian administration.
Press freedom in peril, democracy at half mast 🆘🗞️
Past the private case of Engelbert Mfomo, it’s the freedom of the press as a complete that’s below assault. By attacking a journalist for a easy article, prefect Thierry Kinou Nana sends a chilling message to all media professionals: watch out for those that dare to problem the facility in place! An authoritarian drift which dangers instilling a dangerous local weather of self-censorship and concern undermines the very foundations of our democracy. And not using a free and impartial press to play its function of counter-power, all the democratic construction is faltering.
Cameroon should shield its journalists! ✊🙏
Confronted with this umpteenth slippage, 237online.com calls on the Cameroonian authorities to take their duties. It’s excessive time to place an finish to this local weather of terror round journalists, who’re too usually victims of strain, threats, or worse. Each assault on their freedom is an assault on that of all Cameroonians. Respect for legislation and elementary freedoms can’t tolerate any exception, particularly not when it comes from the very people who find themselves speculated to implement them.
Mr. Prefect Thierry Kinou Nana, there’s nonetheless time to reverse course and launch Engelbert Mfomo. Knowledge and responsibility require favoring dialogue over repression, transparency over arbitrariness. It’s at this worth that Cameroon will have the ability to rise to the rank of nice democracies, respectful of the inalienable rights of every of its youngsters. A super for which we are going to by no means cease combating.