Journalists Detained in Cameroon While Investigating US Deportation Flights
An Associated Press journalist was reportedly assaulted by police and briefly detained in Yaounde, Cameroon, alongside three other reporters and a legal representative. The incident unfolded as they attempted to interview Africans recently deported from the United States, according to two sources who provided information to Reuters.
Confrontation at Deportee Facility
The journalists had their equipment confiscated, which has not yet been returned, and were escorted to the judicial police by plainclothes officers on Tuesday. They had been attempting to film the facility hosting the deportees when the confrontation occurred.
Freelance journalist Randy Joe Sa'ah, who was among those briefly held, described the ordeal as "an extremely stressful experience." He added, "I was surprised by how quickly the situation escalated. It felt as though our only 'offence' was simply being present at the facility where people were being held."
The Associated Press declined to comment on the incident, while Cameroon's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and police did not respond to requests for comment.
Deportation Flights and Numbers
The recent flights have brought the total number of deportees in Cameroon to seventeen, according to four deportees and two lawyers. All of these individuals had been granted withholding of removal status in the US, a protection designed to prevent deportation to countries where they fear persecution or harm.
The first group of deportees arrived in Cameroon in January, including:
- Two individuals from Ghana
- Two from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
- Two from Morocco
- Two from Angola
- One from Zimbabwe
While the Moroccans have since returned home, the remaining seven migrants are still in Cameroon. A second group arrived early on Monday, comprising:
- Three Ethiopians
- One Senegalese
- One Kenyan
- One Sierra Leonean
- Two from the DRC
US Administration's Deportation Program
The Trump administration had approached several African governments about accepting deportees as part of its campaign to deter immigration through high-profile deportations to so-called "third countries." In some cases, migrants have voiced concerns for their safety. Cameroon has not disclosed whether it participated in the US administration's program, and the State Department could not be immediately reached for comment.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions surrounding international deportation policies and press freedom in sensitive investigations. The detained journalists' experience underscores the challenges faced by media professionals reporting on controversial immigration practices and government actions.
