The disappearance of political activist Yérima Tchéboa highlights the increasing crackdown on free speech and political criticism in Cameroon Development Diaries reports that the 52-year-old Cameroonian political activist and government critic was picked up in December 2024 by at least two men in N’Gaoundéré According to findings by Human Rights Watch (HRW) it is believed to be a case of forced disappearance by the authorities This is because Tchéboa is known for his political activism on social media where he has criticised authorities and called for new leadership for the Central African country he published a message on Facebook in which he accused a ruling party leader of planning electoral fraud Detaining someone without legal explanation creates fear and shows a disregard for basic rights Many citizens now face threats for simply speaking their minds or asking for change Enforced disappearances in Cameroon have been a significant human rights concern with several documented cases implicating state authorities Between January 2018 and January 2019, HRW documented 26 cases of incommunicado detention and enforced disappearance at the State Defense Secretariat (SED) in Yaoundé These cases involved severe beatings and near-drowning to extract confessions from detainees suspected of ties to armed separatist groups Also, journalist Samuel Abuwe was arrested in August 2019 and held incommunicado and reportedly died in military custody Authorities acknowledged his death only in June 2020 raising concerns about enforced disappearance and lack of transparency The government’s silence about Tchéboa’s whereabouts raises serious concerns The government of Cameroon has a duty to protect citizens hence ignoring calls for answers would only encourage lawlessness and make people lose trust in the system It is also unfortunate that the silence from the authourities would also leave the families of the victims in pain and uncertainty not knowing what has happened to their loved ones When people cannot speak freely or question their leaders without fear A nation grows stronger when people can share ideas and challenge decisions Cameroon’s recent arrests of other activists show a disturbing pattern of punishing peaceful dissent Respecting free speech is key to a fair and just society forced disappearances go against international laws and cause lasting harm to families and communities The foundation for citizens’ right to demand accountability is established in Article 14 of the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen which affirms that ‘all citizens have the right to verify either personally or through their representatives the necessity of public contributions and to oversee their use’ the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights reinforces this right by safeguarding citizens’ ability to hold governments accountable Development Diaries calls on the Cameroonian police to commence an investigation on Tchéboa’s disappearance or explain where he is being held if he is in state custody Those responsible for his disappearance should face justice The government must show that it respects human rights and supports the voices of its people Source: HRW Photo source: HRW proudly operates self-styled advocacy journalism a genre of journalism that champions social aspirations often overlooked and pushes for social change across the African continent We focus on the impacts of policies and actions on individual communities and the environment rather than merely reporting events or statements (Business in Cameroon) - Customs recently seized 100 bundles of African fabric and 2,500 liters of smuggled fuel in Magada,  Far-North Cameroon These goods seized on the eve of the holiday celebrations were intercepted in the framework of Halcomi the operation launched by authorities to curb smuggling and protect the Cameroonian economic space 160 bags of smuggled sugar were seized in Tcheboa The goods were certainly smuggled from Nigeria whose borders with the two regions mentioned above are thriving grounds for intense contraband activities According to Prime Minister Joseph Dion Nguté over XAF10 billion of goods have been seized this year in the framework of Halcomi Cameroon loses about XAF200 billion to contraband and illicit trade These trades have become a real problem for the country hence the creation of Halcomi to secure the economy Kribi Bitumen Plant Set to Start Construction in 2025 with Government Backing CEMAC Bond Market Hits CFA 8.45 Trillion in March 2025, Interest Rates Drop Cameroon’s Timber Output Projected to Rise in 2025 Despite Higher Export Taxes Central Africa Stock Exchange Sees 98% Drop in Trading Value in Q1 2025 Every week the economy and investment news from Cameroon Mboa Paris Trains 30 Young Cameroonians to Boost Tech and Entrepreneurship Cameroon Audit Targets Former Officials for Mismanagement in Agricultural Project Camwater Seeks Global Bids to Launch Bottled Water Lines in Five Cities Bafoussam Workshop Highlights Benefits of Cameroon-EU Trade Agreement Cameroon Could Reach 350,100 Tons of Cotton in 2025 (Beac) Paul Biya Appoints Johnny Razack as Chair of Cameroon’s National Investment Company Cameroon Refuses Work Visa Renewal for Casino and Super U Boss Over Toxic Workplace Claims Cameroon Joins Global Charter to Fight Illegal Fishing