Yaoundé – A young Cameroonian activist, Junior Ngombe, has been released from detention following his arrest last week for posting videos on TikTok calling for democratic change ahead of next year’s presidential election.
Ngombe, a 23-year-old hairdresser with a significant social media following, was apprehended in Douala on July 24 before being transferred to the State Defense Secretariat (SED) in the capital, Yaoundé.
His lawyer, Barrister Akere Muna, announced his client’s release on Wednesday, stating that no charges had been filed. However, the legal process is ongoing, and authorities could potentially press charges at a later date.
The activist’s detention sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups and the public, with critics accusing the government of President Paul Biya of stifling dissent. Human Rights Watch highlighted the increasing restrictions on freedom of expression and association in Cameroon.
In his TikTok videos, Ngombe encouraged citizens to register to vote in the February 2025 presidential election while expressing skepticism about the electoral process. He also criticized the government’s intolerance of criticism.
The government has previously warned against the use of “irreverent or offensive” language targeting President Biya, particularly as the country prepares for next year’s election.
