Journalists in Cameroon call for “unconditional” Release of detained colleagues

Journalists across Cameroon used the 2017 World Press freedom Day to demand  for the release of The Sun’s political editor,  Atia Tilarious , The Guardian Post’s Buea correspondent, Amos Fofung and eight others presently detained in Yaounde. In Buea, colleagues carried placards with various messages down the streets  showing discontent for the arbitrary arrest and keeping behind bars of these colleagues.

The President of the Cameroon Journalists Trade union, Denis Nkwebo in Douala described their arrest as “illegal” which hinges on their fundermental rights to inform the public. He called on the government to stop the constant harassment of journalists and creat adequate conditions for journalists to have access to information. The Anti Terrorism Law which was recently used to slam a 10 year jail term on Ahmed Abba, RFI Hausa service correspondent has been described as a deliberate act by the government to take the press hostage and prevent journalists from carrying out their duties.

On his part, Abdulwaheed Odusile,  president of the Federation of African journalists  who is in Cameroon on a working visit also called on the Cameroon government to release all journalists arrested and dismantle laws which make journalists prone to victimization. The Editor in Chief of Nigeria’s daily, The Nation newspaper and President of the Nigerian Union of Jiurnalists challenged the state of Cameroon to throw more light on the Ahmed Abba affair and establish the truth. In the face of the Anti Terrorism law, he has encouraged Cameroonian journalists to press for reforms that will make their job easier. The Freedom of information Act, he insist is a vital instrument that will enable journalists hold power to account and be the mirror of the society.

However, the country's  Government spokesman, Issa Tchiroma has continuously refuted claims that the journalists are in prison for professional reasons. As he maintains that they were linked to acts of terrorism at the heart of the Anglophone crisis.