The Cameroon Association of English-Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ) has in a statement released on October 30, condemned the arbitrary arrest detention and subsequent torture of a University of Buea Journalism student, Nsoyuka Guy-Bruno Maimo.
Guy-Bruno Maimo, a student journalist who reports for Buea weekly – Volcanic Times, was arrested on October 24, 2024, by gendarmes in Buea while he was covering a peaceful women’s protest. He was held incommunicado and reportedly subjected to physical and emotional torture. AC learned that the young reporter spent his first three nights in detention unable to sleep because of neck and back pains from the torture. He was released on October 29, 2024, after five days of unlawful detention and torture.
The Cameroon Association of English-Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ) in a press statement signed by its President, Viban Jude, condemned the arbitrary arrest and detention, calling it a “blatant attack on press freedom and the right to information.”
The student journalist was only discovered missing days after he was arrested detained and denied his right to inform friends, colleagues and family of what had happened. This prompted his friends and family to launch a search, after breaking into his student room and discovering that he was not in. A search in various detention facilities led them to the Gendarmerie Legion office in Buea where he was held.
He was released thanks to a joint effort of his family, CAMASEJ Buea Chapter President Andrew Nsoseka, and Volcanic Times Publisher Charles Embola.
“This arrest and torture of a journalist for doing their job violates democratic principles and undermines the public’s right to know,” CAMASEJ stated. “We stand in solidarity with Maimo and all journalists who risk their safety to bring information to the public.”
The association urged authorities to respect journalists’ fundamental rights and ensure a safe environment for reporting, especially amidst the growing threat of misinformation.
CAMASEJ said Maimo’s release brings relief, but vowed to continue monitoring the situation and advocating for press freedom and journalists’ protection.
