Cameroonian journalist remains detained in Bertoua
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Camer
Cameroonian journalist Emmanuel Mbombog Mbog Matip has been detained at Bertoua Central Prison since 9 June 2026, despite being hospitalised for chronic illnesses and a ministerial instruction supporting his release. His defence challenges the validity of proceedings based, it says, on a photocopy of an arrest warrant, reports Climat Social.
Cameroonian journalist Emmanuel Mbombog Mbog Matip, director of publication of the newspaper Climat Social, remains detained at Bertoua Central Prison despite an instruction from the Minister of State in charge of Justice, Laurent Esso, calling for steps towards his release, reports Climat Social. Arrested on 9 June 2026, he has been in hospital since 22 July at Bertoua Regional Hospital with chronic multiple illnesses and complications, according to a medical certificate dated 15 October.
Emmanuel Mbombog Mbog Matip is recognised as physically disabled by the Cameroonian state, with a 65% disability rate stated on his national disability card issued in 2022. His family and colleagues denounce harassment of a vulnerable man, while his defence challenges the legality of his imprisonment, which was ordered on the basis of a photocopy of an arrest warrant rather than the original detention warrant.
The journalist was detained after being arrested by unidentified heavily armed men, allegedly on the instructions of the public prosecutor, according to the front page of Climat Social published on 22 October. The medical certificate was signed by Dr Gabrielle Angoa, a general practitioner at Bertoua Regional Hospital.
