The murder of journalist Anye Nde Nsoh in Cameroon has sent shockwaves through the press community in the country, with colleagues and loved ones mourning the loss of a talented young journalist who had a bright future ahead of him. His death is the latest in a string of attacks against journalists in Cameroon, which has seen the press become a target in the ongoing Anglophone conflict.
A Bamenda based journalist, Pedmia Shetu spoke of her sorrow at the loss of a friend and colleague. "He was always the life of the party, with a smile that lit up the room. He was a true professional and his death has left me with a heavy heart. When will this end? Who will be next?" she asked.
Full of tears and sobbing, Wanchia Cyndy, a media woman in Bamenda lamented, "Anye did not deserve to die this way. No man created life and so no one had the right to take his life."
In response to the killing, journalists in Bamenda took to the streets with placards calling for an end to violence against the press. "Stop Killing Journalists", "We are journalists not criminals" and "Mistaken Identity? Not Good Enough" were among the messages on display. The protest was a powerful statement of solidarity and a call for action to protect journalists in crisis regions.
The senior divisional officer for Bamenda, Simon Emile Mouh, denounced the killing and called on the community to help track down the perpetrators. Separatist leader Carpo Daniel attributed the killing to “an issue of mistaken identity”. But he also spoke out against the attack, calling for better protection for journalists in conflict zones. "We should guarantee their safety even in the middle of a war," he said.
Unfortunately, attacks on journalists are all too common in many African countries, with reporters frequently targeted by armed groups and security forces. The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that at least 30 journalists were killed in Africa in 2020, with Cameroon being one of the most dangerous countries for the press.
Cameroonian journalist Samuel Wazizi died in military custody and his family is yet to receive his body years after. Another journalist, Martinez Zogo was kidnapped and his body found days later, badly decomposed. In other African countries, journalists have been attacked, harassed, and even killed for merely doing their job. For example, in Somalia, journalist Mohamed Ibrahim Gabow was killed in 2019 while covering a bomb blast in the capital, Mogadishu. In Nigeria, journalist Jones Abiri was detained for two years without trial for his reporting.
These attacks not only harm individual journalists and their families, but also threaten press freedom and democracy. Journalists play a vital role in holding those in power accountable and informing the public, and they must be allowed to do their job without fear of violence or intimidation.
As we mourn the loss of Anye Nde Nsoh and other journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty, we must also take action to protect the press and defend press freedom. The press community must come together to demand better protection for journalists in crisis regions, and to hold those responsible for attacks on the press accountable for their actions. As one of the journalists in the crisis region who took part in the street protest stated, "we need to demand that our safety and freedom are respected."
To Randy Joe Sa’ah, BBC's correspondent who has been covering the armed conflicts in Cameroon, “We must keep fighting for press freedom and the right to report the truth, even in the face of danger." Randy adds that, “for young journalists entering the profession, the legacy of the journalists who have suffered attacks in Cameroon and other African countries is a reminder of the importance of their work and the need to defend press freedom at all costs… They must be aware of the risks and challenges they may face but also hold on to the belief that their work is essential and can make a difference.”
Randy also told The Post that: “It is vital that governments and armed groups respect the rights of journalists and ensure that they can report freely and safely.”
Sa'ah Siona Ikei, The Post Newspaper.
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