While the investigating judge at the Bafoussam military court ordered the release on bail of 12 detainees, Annie Tchoko of United4Cameroon warns about the poor condition of detainees in Foumban prison.
Arrested and imprisoned in the context of the post-electoral crisis of October 2025 in Cameroon, 12 people were released in Bafoussam on March 05, 2026. Initially charged with “Illegal immigration, insurrection in joint action, group rebellion in joint action, unlawful assembly in joint action, looting in a gang in joint action, and lack of ID card,” only one offense was ultimately retained against them: “non-denunciation” of insurrection. As the offense was classified as a misdemeanor, the judge found no elements to oppose their release. However, they will have to appear free.
Apart from these 12, other detainees arrested in the context of the same crisis, 17 in total, including a Nigerian and a Chadian, remain in detention while the legal proceedings take their course. They are being prosecuted for “revolution and unlawful assembly, looting in a gang and damage to public property, non-denunciation, lack of national identity card.” For them, as for other detainees for similar causes, voices are rising to continue demanding their release.
Annie Tchoko, a human rights activist from the civil society organization United4Cameroon, insistently warns about the precarious situation of “political detainees” imprisoned in Foumban prison in the context of the post-electoral crisis. According to her, “young people under 25 are dying right now in Foumban prison: no healthcare, they are not even allowed to go for treatment. People are sick. They don’t even have the right to go for treatment. Their medicine is even being stolen,” she warns, calling out Cameroonians who remain silent in the face of this situation, waiting for the worst to happen before reacting.
Read more Cameroon/ post-electoral arrests and detentions: the response of ‘muzzled’ opposition officials
Responding to her call, the UPC-Manidem followed suit by calling for the release of “political prisoners.” The political party expressed its solidarity, reiterating that it will not stop demanding the release of all political prisoners throughout the national territory.
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