Outrage Over Arrest of Activist Junior NGOMBE: Rising Tensions in Cameroon

His advocacy for youth registration on electoral rolls, aimed at countering anticipated electoral fraud in the 2025 presidential election by the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (RDPC), seems to have placed him in the crosshairs of authorities.

## A Call for Action

In response to NGOMBE's arrest, Maurice Kamto, the national president of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC), issued a statement demanding his immediate release. Kamto emphasized that NGOMBE represents a peaceful and engaged youth eager to participate in the democratic process. He condemned the state’s machinery being used to silence dissenting voices and warned of severe repercussions for the nation as the presidential elections approach.

## Diaspora Mobilization

The Cameroonian diaspora did not remain silent. Demonstrators stormed the Cameroonian embassy in Belgium this week, expressing solidarity with Junior NGOMBE and denouncing undemocratic practices. This incident has added to the already charged political atmosphere, raising concerns about escalating tensions.

## A Pattern of Suppression

The arrest of Junior NGOMBE comes on the heels of another controversial detention: that of Steeve AKAM, also known as "Ramon Cotta," who was allegedly extradited illegally from Gabon. The MRC has vehemently condemned these actions, highlighting a troubling drift towards authoritarianism.

With fifteen months until the presidential elections, these events are exacerbating political and social tensions in Cameroon. Calls for NGOMBE’s release and an end to repressive measures are growing louder. There is widespread apprehension that the situation may deteriorate further if the government fails to take steps to restore trust and ensure a transparent, inclusive electoral process.

## SDF Reacts

Joshua Osih, President of the Social Democratic Front (SDF) and Member of Parliament for Wouri, has called for Junior NGOMBE's immediate release, should his detention be solely due to his expressed opinions. The SDF has initiated an internal investigation to gather more information on the matter.

"I am profoundly concerned about the reported detention of popular TikTok influencer, Junior NGOMBE, who has leveraged his platform to advocate for peaceful change in Cameroon," stated Osih. "The SDF holds any infringement on freedom of expression in the highest regard. We are resolute in our commitment to meticulously investigate the circumstances of Mr. NGOMBE's arrest and urge the government to provide a transparent account of his detention."

"The right to free speech and the engagement of youth in political discourse online are pillars of a robust democracy," he continued. "Should the allegations prove accurate that he was apprehended solely for his political opinions, we will mobilize all available resources to denounce this overt suppression of dissent and demand Mr. NGOMBE's immediate release. The SDF stands unwaveringly with citizens exercising their constitutional rights peacefully."

## Legal and Civil Society Response

Prominent Cameroonian lawyer Akere Muna has taken up NGOMBE's defense. After speaking with NGOMBE's mother, Muna announced his intention to visit the State Secretariat for Defense (SED) in Yaoundé on Monday to meet his client. Kah Walla, another notable activist, has also mobilized the StandUp4Cameroon platform for upcoming initiatives.

On Sunday, July 28, 2024, Cameroonian activists stormed the Georges V Hotel, where President Paul Biya was staying. They demanded his return to Cameroon and condemned the abductions of activists like Ramon Cotta and Junior NGOMBE, accusing the president of lacking an Olympic spirit.

## Rising Concerns

The arrest of Junior NGOMBE, a 23-year-old TikTok influencer, has sparked significant concern. NGOMBE was known for his active engagement on social media, where he regularly highlighted the dire state of the country and encouraged voter registration. He was reportedly kidnapped in Douala by gendarmes, taken to the Bonanjo Gendarmerie Group, and subsequently deported to the SED in Yaoundé.

Maximilienne Ngo Mbe, a prominent human rights advocate, has called for NGOMBE’s immediate and unconditional release. As the nation braces for the 2025 elections, the actions against young activists like NGOMBE highlight the fragile state of democracy in Cameroon and the urgent need for a transparent and fair electoral process.