On 20 August 1996, Vianney Ombe Ndzana, director of the privately-owned newspaper “Generation”, was assaulted in the capital, Yaounde, by several armed individuals. Ndzana was leaving the editorial offices of the newspaper when the individuals accosted him before opening fire on his vehicle. He was later taken to hospital, where he is in stable condition. […]
On 20 August 1996, Vianney Ombe Ndzana, director of the
privately-owned newspaper “Generation”, was assaulted in the
capital, Yaounde, by several armed individuals. Ndzana was
leaving the editorial offices of the newspaper when the
individuals accosted him before opening fire on his vehicle. He
was later taken to hospital, where he is in stable condition.
Previously, on 29 July, Ndzana avoided a similar attack. Certain
individuals entered the offices of “Generation”, but Ndzana
escaped after being alerted by someone nearby.
On 14 August, Pierre Essamba Essomba, editorial director of the
state-run daily the “Cameroon Tribune”, was arrested following
the 12 August publication of an article (and a rejoinder the next
day) which was critical of Justice Minister Douala Moutome and
Transportation Minister Issa Tchiroma. Essomba was released the
same day.
Meanwhile, on 8 August, Gaston Ekawalla, a journalist with the
newspaper “La Detente”, was sentenced to five months in prison
and fined 1,000 Francs (US$ 200) for defaming member of
Parliament Albert Dzongang. The newspaper was also suspended for
six months. The verdict came after the publication of an article
in the 18 August 1993 edition of “La Detente” which mentioned the
involvement of Dzongang in an illegal network that issued
diplomatic passports. Ekawalla has not yet been imprisoned.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
the right to inform and be informed, as guaranteed by the
Cameroon Constitution
an investigation be undertaken to identify and punish those
responsible
Appeals To
His Excellency Paul Biya
President of the Republic of Cameroon
Place de l’Unite
Yaounde, Cameroon
Fax: +237 23 30 22 / 22 16 99
President of Parliament
National Assembly
Yaounde, Cameroon
Fax: +237 21 11 84
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
