Visionary Reports

He died while in Detention in Yaounde

Journalists in Cameroon are currently demanding for justice following the death of one of theirs. Buea based Journalist Samuel Ajiekah Abuwe alias ‘Wazizi’ alias ‘Halla Ya Matta’, who reportedly died at the Yaounde military hospital was arrested on August 2, 2019, for allegedly collaborating with separatist fighters.  News of his death has sparked up tension and pushed journalists to demand for justice for a colleague who is said to be a fine pidgin broadcaster. Journalists in Cameroon and beyond have taken to different social media platforms mourning their colleague and asking authorities to “bring Wazizi Dead or Alive”. 

In a joint statement signed by Denis Kwebo, National President of the Cameroon Journalists Trade Union CJTU and  Jude Viban, National President of the  Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists –CAMASEJ, journalists nationwide  have mobilised to request for Wazizi killers to be brought to book.

The joint  release demanded the  Cameroonian government to set up an enquiry committee   to shed light on his death and requests that the family and public opinion  be clarified on, the exact date of his death, the place where the corpse is presently kept as well as the circumstances of his death,

The release described the act as “inhumanity and barbarism” and strongly condemns the murder of a journalist which is a way of killing the press in Cameroon.

SNJC and CAMASEJ “Denounces this revenge-seeking behaviour of authorities and the army on the journalist and recalls that this act is a violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”.  

At press time, journalists in Buea where Samuel Wazizi was practicing were at the South West Governor’s Office to get clarification on the whereabouts of Wazizi.

It is worth mentioning that more actions have been planned in the days ahead.

By GINA ESONG