Disappearance of Cameroonian Critic Sparks International Concern

A Cameroonian activist, Steve Akam, who criticized the government, has been missing for three weeks. Suspected to have been extrajudicially returned from Gabon, his last video accused President Biya of prolonging conflict to retain power. Human Rights Watch and other organizations are demanding transparency and justice.

A Cameroonian social media activist and outspoken government critic has vanished since his arrest three weeks ago, raising alarms over possible extrajudicial measures. Human Rights Watch reported on Tuesday that his lawyers suspect he was forcibly returned to Cameroon from Gabon.

The activist, Steve Akam, known for his TikTok profile Ramon Cotta, which has over 30,000 followers, was last seen in a video surrounded by Cameroonian police at the border with Gabon. He had resided in Gabon for a decade before his disappearance. In the video, he accused President Paul Biya of manipulating a conflict in anglophone regions to stay in power.

Human Rights Watch criticized the Cameroonian government's long-standing crackdown on opposition and free speech, noting increased restrictions ahead of the 2025 elections. A police spokesperson declined to comment, and Akam's lawyers hadn't been reached for further statements. Calls for transparency have been backed by recent high-profile cases of media suppression and journalist murders in Cameroon.

(With inputs from agencies.)