Allegations of Police Extortion Continue in Yaoundé Despite Previous Prohibitions

This incident has reignited concerns over police extortion and corruption, despite previous efforts to curb such practices.

The individuals detained overnight for "national identification reasons" found themselves confined to cells until coerced into paying the demanded sum. The situation sheds light on the misuse of an outdated law, known as ausweise plicht, which requires citizens to carry identification at all times. Corrupt police officers have exploited this law to extort money from citizens who fail to produce identification on the streets.

This latest episode comes in the wake of assurances from the country's police leadership to crack down on such abuses. As recently as August 3, 2023, the police chief issued directives explicitly prohibiting officers from extorting money from individuals with expired identification cards at checkpoints and during random street checks. However, despite these pronouncements, the practice appears to persist within certain segments of the police force.

The incident unfolded in the sixth étoudi area of Yaoundé, where individuals with valid identification documents were nonetheless subjected to demands for payment to secure their release. Even those carrying their national identity cards (CNI) were not spared from the alleged extortion.

One individual, opting to remain anonymous out of fear of reprisal, recounted their experience to whistleblower N'zui Manto, highlighting the pervasive nature of the problem. "They ask us for 15,000 francs to free us! I even have my CNI, but they want another 15,000 francs to free me," the informant revealed.

The persistence of such practices underscores the challenges facing efforts to combat police corruption and ensure accountability within law enforcement agencies. As citizens continue to voice their grievances, calls for concrete action to address systemic issues of extortion and abuse of power grow louder, underscoring the need for sustained efforts to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of all individuals.