Cameroon Frees Three Protesters Amid Debate Over Political Prisoners

DOUALA, Cameroon, Jan. 16, 2025 — Three of five political detainees from Douala’s New-Bell Prison, sentenced to five years for peacefully protesting against President Paul Biya’s regime in 2020, have been released.

Among those freed are Dorgelesse Nguessam, Fossi Appolin, and Sop Tiam Mathurin, whose cases have drawn attention to the heated debate over political prisoners in Cameroon.

Government Denies Political Prisoners

The Cameroonian government has consistently rejected claims that it holds political prisoners. Minister of Communication René Emmanuel Sadi reiterated this position, stating that all detainees in Cameroon were convicted of “common offenses, not political crimes.”

“There are no political prisoners in Cameroon,” Sadi asserted, while emphasizing that those in custody were subjected to fair trials under the country’s judicial system.

Calls for Release and Presidential Clemency

The release of the three detainees comes amidst mounting calls for the liberation of individuals linked to political protests. Earlier this year, former government official Titus Edzoa urged the government to free 41 activists from the opposition Movement for the Renaissance of Cameroon (MRC), as well as high-profile figures such as former presidential secretaries-general Hamidou Marafa and Jean-Marie Atangana Mebara.

Sadi acknowledged that presidential clemency remains a possibility, stating, “All measures of clemency can be considered at the discretion of the Head of State, President Paul Biya.”

Broader Criticism and Opposition Demands

The issue of political detentions has long been a point of contention in Cameroon. While the government denies targeting individuals for political reasons, opposition groups and international human rights organizations argue otherwise. They highlight the arrests of peaceful protesters, journalists, and activists as evidence of a broader crackdown on dissent.

This controversy has not only drawn criticism from within Cameroon but has also attracted international attention, with calls for transparency and fair treatment of detainees.

An Ongoing Debate

The release of Nguessam, Appolin, and Mathurin marks a partial victory for activists pushing for the freedom of political detainees, but questions remain about those still in custody. Critics argue that the government's position is inconsistent with the reality of arrests targeting political opposition.

Uncertain Future

While the government has left the door open for potential presidential pardons, the ultimate fate of other detainees remains uncertain. For now, the release of three protesters may signal a step toward addressing criticisms of Cameroon’s justice system, but the broader debate over political freedom and governance under President Paul Biya continues unabated.