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Cameroonian journalist could face the death penalty

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Over 633 days ago, in the north of Cameroon, Radio France Internationale Correspondent, Ahmed Abba, attended a function in his official capacity as a journalist.

When the function concluded, Abba was detained by law enforcement authorities and kept for over three months without access to his family, colleagues or lawyers in a Yaoundé jail.

He has been in detention ever since.

In a strange development, Abba was arraigned months later in a military court and charged with terrorism.

The charges had everything to do with his work as a journalist.

On April 20, Abba was convicted by the military court and could face the death penalty.

Abba was convicted on charges of “non-denunciation of terrorism” and “laundering of the proceeds of terrorist acts,” according to his lawyer and RFI.

Abba is due to be sentenced on April 24.

The African Editors Forum (TAEF) says it is only horrified at the developments, but calls on the Cameroonian government to immediately halt the military courts process and free him.

The TEAF says Abba should not be in the dock for doing his work and should not be tried in a military court as a civilian.

The forum has also concern about Abba’s welfare and is working with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), among others, to lobby for Abba’s freedom.

African Editors say they are deeply concerned that some governments on the continent are using the so-called war on terror to close down democratic spaces and launch assaults on media and other freedoms.

TAEF says it echoes the CPJ belief that Abba’s detention and trial constitute both a travesty of justice and a grave threat to press freedom in Cameroon.

The organisations are working with journalists and editors throughout Africa to secure the release of Abba, whose plight is an example of what many scribes have to go through to bring truth to their nations.

– By SABC

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