Cameroonian Activist Found in Military Custody with Signs of Torture, Says Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch reports that Cameroonian activist Steve Akam has been located in military custody with severe injuries, including partial paralysis and visual impairments, following his disappearance last month.
Bollywood Fever: A Cameroonian social media activist and vocal government critic, Steve Akam, who disappeared last month, has been found in a military court’s security cell in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, showing signs of torture, Human Rights Watch reported on Tuesday.
Akam, who has been living in Gabon for the past decade, was reportedly extrajudicially returned to Cameroon, according to his lawyers.
When his legal representatives gained access to him in custody, they discovered that Akam was partially paralyzed and suffering from severe visual impairments, raising concerns about his treatment while in detention.
Better known by his social media pseudonym Ramon Cotta on TikTok, where he has over 30,000 followers, Akam has been an outspoken critic of President Paul Biya’s administration.
In his recent videos, he accused Biya of instigating a war in Cameroon’s anglophone regions as a means to cling to power.
His last appearance was in a video circulated online, which showed him handcuffed and surrounded by Cameroonian police near the border with Gabon.
Human Rights Watch has expressed deep concern over Akam’s condition. Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at the organization, stated that Akam “may already have lost his sight and ability to walk properly as a result of torture, so prompt action is immediately needed.” She urged the Cameroonian government to provide immediate medical treatment to Akam and to investigate the signs of torture he has allegedly endured.
The Cameroonian government has not yet responded to requests for comment on the situation.
Akam’s case highlights the ongoing repression of dissent in Cameroon, where critics of the government often face severe reprisals.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly called on the international community to pressure the Cameroonian authorities to respect human rights and ensure the safety of those who speak out against the government.
As the situation unfolds, Akam’s supporters and human rights advocates continue to demand justice and accountability for his treatment.
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