In N’Gaoundéré, Cameroon, 52-year-old political activist Yérima Djoubaïrou Tchéboa mysteriously vanished without a trace twenty days ago, stirring fears of enforced disappearance by the authorities. Eyewitness accounts state that on December 24, 2024, he was abducted from the Bali neighborhood by masked men who drove off in an unmarked truck, while two companions were released shortly after.
Djoubaïrou’s family has tirelessly searched for him at local police stations and filed numerous official reports, yet officials remain silent on his whereabouts. His sister learned from one of the released captives that a police commissioner may have been present during the abduction, raising questions about official complicity in this troubling incident.
Known for his vocal opposition to the government on social media, Djoubaïrou had recently accused a ruling party member of corruption just days before his disappearance. His plight mirrors a broader trend in Cameroon, where the crackdown on dissent has intensified leading up to the elections, silencing voices that dare to challenge the status quo.
The environment for free speech has been increasingly hostile; other activists, including artists and social media figures, have faced arbitrary arrests, torture, and actions against human rights organizations. This tense backdrop highlights the risks that dissenters like Djoubaïrou face in a climate of fear.
Djoubaïrou’s case exemplifies the alarming practice of enforced disappearance, a violation of fundamental human rights under international law. Unless the authorities promptly reveal his fate and whereabouts, it becomes clear that freedom of expression in Cameroon is perilously at risk.
Yérima Djoubaïrou Tchéboa, a Cameroonian activist, has been missing for 20 days after being reportedly abducted by authorities. His case highlights the ongoing repression of dissent in Cameroon, with many activists facing similar fates. Family members have received no information on his whereabouts despite extensive searching. This situation exemplifies the broader crackdown on freedom of expression in the country.
The forced disappearance of Yérima Djoubaïrou underscores the troubling reality for political activists in Cameroon. In a nation plagued by repression, his ongoing absence reflects a systematic effort to silence dissent and intimidate those who voice opposition. Djoubaïrou’s situation must spark outrage and demands for accountability to protect the fundamental rights of all citizens.
Yérima Djoubaïrou Tchéboa, a Cameroonian activist, has been missing since December 24, 2024, after being allegedly abducted by armed men near his home. His case reflects a surge in state-sanctioned threats against political dissenters in Cameroon, a trend seen in previous incidents involving activists who challenged governmental authority. This oversight is part of a broader campaign against free expression in preparation for upcoming elections in the country.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
