On the 23rd of January 2023, news broke out of the denial of the Cameroon government to engage in peace talks over the Anglophone crisis with leaders of Southern Cameroon aka Ambazonia. Formally approving and engaging the Canadian government to mediate the peace process that will resolve the ongoing Anglophone conflict and later rejecting their involvement strongly attests to the fact that the Biya regime is deceptive, with questionable integrity. Rather than follow peace, the 40years old government prefers to continue with the unlawful killing of Ambazonians since 2016 and ongoing.
Following the announcement of their denial, the ongoing conflict between the Cameroon military and separatists’ groups has now taken a worsening turn that is continually claiming lives, forcing many to flee to the bushes and neighbouring countries for refuge, others internally displaced while thousands are unlawfully thrown into prisons and detention centres of Cameroon. Failure in diplomatic efforts has led to escalating violence by the Camerron military. Attacks, raids/invasions on civilians and arbitrary arrests are skyrocketing, reportedly having been utilized by the Cameroon military as weapons of war. Many have ended up unjustly in overcrowded prisons and detention centres. The deplorable conditions of prisons/detention camps have overtime transformed them into deadly epicentres with inmates being exposed to disheartening treatment, some disappearing, while others lost their lives in custody without being convicted.
Through our humanitarian relief efforts, SCNC-UK has been actively providing support in the form of medical/healthcare assistance, financial assistance, food and other basic necessities to inmates in prisons and detention centres. To that effect, we currently launched a fund-raising drive to keep up with our support for those in detention because despite all, they deserve better. Reports from our recent undercover visits to prisons and detention centres have revealed that some inmates are being detained with bullets in their legs. This is horrible, inhuman, and unacceptable as they are living with excruciating pain and have been abandoned to die. This is why we will not stop denouncing the atrocities and human right violations perpetrated by the Biya regime against harmless civilians as well as call on the international community to bring the regime to accountability. From our past outreaches, we have noticed that the more we reach out to those in prison, the more overwhelming humanitarian needs we discover.
Candidly speaking, prisons and detention centres of Cameroon are dungeons of heart-breaking stories, extreme sufferings, frustrations, hopelessness, depression, bitter tears, and deep despair. These are the feelings expressed by the prisoner we met, whose only crime has been to express their right to self-determination. They tell of how they have been subjected to all forms of brutal and degrading treatment even though such treatment has been prohibited by Human Rights. Their experiences are that of indescribable cruelty and pain daily from being subjected to all forms of abuse; emotional, physical, and you can name the rest.
Detained incommunicado is immensely torturing mentally as contact with family, friends, loved ones and sympathisers is limited and restricted. While our representative was conversing with some of them, they could hardly express their emotional trauma especially pertaining to the killings and forced disappearances of their fellow inmates. They also expressed deep desperations relating to pending trials that are being intentionally subjected to unfair administrative delays by the government of Cameroon. Due to prolonged detention, many have died waiting.
Our representative spoke particularly of an elderly prisoner, who told his story of being treated less than animals, living in camps with no facilities to cater for their wellbeing. From being exposed to deadly hygienic conditions that are breeding grounds to outbreaks like covid-19 and cholera, many have lost their precious lives prematurely. I can justly say here that this community of vulnerable people, are living numerous invisible and visible bruises, scars, wounds, and other forms of evidence depicting torture on their bodies and their spirits as well. This is again prohibited under the Human Rights Law.
Through this, I hope to draw the attention of the international community on what our people are going through. This serves also as a call on sympathisers of the Anglophone conflict and people of good will to join us as we raise funds that will deliver live-saving support to dying inmates in need. Donations can be made to the SCNC-UK Account with details as follows:
Account Name: SCNC UK
Account Number: 43931706
Sort code: 20 90 74
Reference: Humanitarian Aid
Thank you so much for your donations. This will help reach out to those in prisons.
Author: Dorothy Arrey
Freedom fighter and Humanitarian Lead
Follow on twitter for more at Dorothy Arrey