By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), under the leadership of its national president, Prof. Maurice Kamto, has called on the government to disclose the whereabouts and condition of Steeve Akam, also known as Ramon Cotta.
In a statement released on August 7 via Twitter, Prof. Kamto expressed deep concern over the lack of information since Gabon’s Transitional Government handed Akam over to Cameroonian authorities. He fears that Akam may have suffered a fate similar to Martinez Zogo or is being concealed due to severe torture.
Prof. Kamto stressed that, unfortunately, magistrates, particularly those in the State Prosecutor’s Office, are aware of the abuses occurring within the security services but fail to take action due to career concerns. He argued that magistrates have the authority to visit detention facilities, inspect conditions, and question detainees.
“The CRM demands that the Government throw the light about the fate of Steeve Akam, reassure his family and the public by providing public proof that he is still alive, and that he is not hidden because he is in a pitiful condition due to torture,” he stated.
He further declared, “The CRM strongly condemns all acts of terror that the government is multiplying in the run-up to the upcoming elections in our countries.”
Prof. Kamto noted that CRM members have endured multiple waves of violence, kidnappings, and secret detention since the disputed 2018 elections. He asserted that the party possesses sufficient knowledge of the cruel and inhumane practices prevalent in certain security services to warrant a public alert regarding Steeve Akam’s case.
The CRM party asserted that Gabon’s decision to hand Ramon Cotta over to the Cameroon government under harsh and degrading conditions on the border violated international treaties.
“CRM regrets that the transitional authorities of the Republic of Gabon have agreed to contribute to such an internationally illicit act and insists on the fact that the nationals of our respective countries must be treated with equal humanity and with respect for their fundamental rights and dignity,” Prof. Kamto said.
Meanwhile, a group of lawyers has initiated contact with Cameroonian authorities to locate Ramon Cotta. They have demanded information about his detention to provide legal assistance and ensure a fair trial.
Cyber activist Stève Akam, a vocal critic of the Biya regime, had been actively denouncing the government’s handling of diaspora registration at the Cameroonian Embassy in Gabon. He also regularly condemned the increasing costs of consular services provided by the embassy.
Several NGOs and human rights organizations have called for Akam’s release, accusing Gabon of violating the 1951 Convention for the Protection of Refugees. Observers contend that the arrest and extradition of Ramon Cotta raise serious concerns about human rights and due process.
They said, the UN’s Bangkok Principles on Extradition clearly outline the requirement for judicial procedures and individual rights to be upheld during extradition processes. In Cotta’s case, the absence of a fair judicial hearing before his extradition constitutes a blatant violation of these principles.
Furthermore, Article 3 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture prohibits the expulsion of individuals to countries where they face a high risk of torture. Many observers were deeply disturbed by the images of Cotta’s extradition.
According to information, after fleeing Cameroon in 2009, Ramon Cotta sought refuge in Gabon. On Friday, July 19, 2024, he was kidnapped while trading at Mont-Bouët, Libreville’s largest market. His family had no contact with him for three days until a video surfaced online. Handcuffed and surrounded by Gabonese security forces in Kye-ossi, Cotta was coerced into asking for forgiveness from Paul Biya and the authorities of both Cameroon and Gabon.
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