Free Djeukam TCHAMENI Now !
A peaceful advocate for democracy in Cameroon, kidnapped at his home and detained arbitrarily. He now faces trial before a military court for expressing political opinions.
For more than 30 years, Djeukam TCHAMENI has fought for democracy, social justice, and citizen participation. Today, he is illegally detained by military authorities and risks 15 to 20 years of imprisonment on political charges. His case requires urgent international solidarity.
- Hashtags:
- #FreeDjeukamNow
- #StopArbitraryDetention
- #JusticeForDjeukam
- #DefendDemocracy
Who Is Djeukam TCHAMENI?
Djeukam TCHAMENI — Pan-African Thinker & Civic Leader
For over 40 years, Djeukam TCHAMENI has been a central figure in the struggle for
democracy, justice and citizen empowerment in Cameroon and across Africa.
Intellectual & Pan-African
Activist
Architect of Civic Mobilization
Founder of:
- ABC Democracy, a major civic education program
- MDI – Movement for Democracy and Interdependence
- ROC – National Network of Civil Society Organizations
- C3 – Citizen Consultation Platform
He helped structure one of the strongest democratic networks in Cameroon.
Co-Founder of the Union for Change 2025
In 2025, he co-founded the Union for Change, the broadest democratic coalition in decades,
which won the presidential election at the ballot box.
His arrest during the post-electoral crisis has made him a symbol of the fight for democratic
transition.
His Principles
- Non-violence
- Constitutional political participation
- Democratic education
- Citizen empowerment
- Ethical leadership
Life & Struggle of
Djeukam TCHAMENI
Timeline of Events
Before the Arrests
Political Context (January–December 2025)
Jan–Sept 2025
Rising Civic Mobilization
A historic civic movement grows around the Transition Refondatrice. The Union for the Change (UPC2025), co-founded by Djeukam TCHAMENI and Anicet EKANE, becomes the largest pro-democracy coalition in decades.
12 Oct 2025
Victory at the Ballot Box
Citizen tallies and observer reports indicate a clear victory of UPC2025 candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary. The official results will later contradict these findings.
21 Oct 2025
Call for a Peaceful Civic Day
UPC2025 calls for 23 October to be a peaceful civic day celebrating the people’s electoral victory. In his interview, Djeukam reiterates non-violence, civic discipline, and respect for public order.
23 Oct 2025
Mass Arrests Nationwide
Nearly 2,000 people are arrested across Cameroon. Enforced disappearances, many injured, and around sixty deaths occur during protests and repressive operations.
24 Oct 2025
Kidnapping of Coalition Leaders
- Armed forces kidnap Djeukam TCHAMENI at his home in Bonaberi (Douala), without a warrant, and transfer him to the SED in Yaoundé.
- Anicet EKANE is also kidnapped the same day despite his fragile health, and detained under similar conditions.
Late Oct–Nov 2025
Illegal Detention & Abuses
- Detention far beyond the 8-day legal limit
- Lawyers denied access to case files
- Restricted family visits and psychological pressure
Nov 2025
Political Charges Announced
Both leaders are accused of “hostility against the homeland”, “insurrection”, and “incitement to insurrection” — offenses carrying 15–20 years in prison under the Military Justice Code.
5 Dec 2025
Military Judge Orders Provisional Detention
A military examining magistrate orders six months of provisional detention, renewable twice, based on vague “security” grounds — violating fair-trial norms.
1 Dec 2025
Death of Anicet EKANE in Custody
At around 7:00 a.m., Anicet EKANE dies at the SED infirmary after weeks of illegal detention, confiscation of his oxygen device, and repeated denial of medical care. His death is widely denounced as a deliberate political killing.
After 1 Dec 2025
Outrage & Mobilisation
Civil society, political movements, the diaspora, and international actors demand:
- an independent international investigation into his death,
- the release of all political prisoners,
- accountability for violations committed during the post-electoral crisis.
Ongoing
Djeukam Before the Military Tribunal
Despite the death of his co-founder and the illegality of military jurisdiction over civilians, Djeukam continues to be brought before the military tribunal and risks a 15–20 year sentence.
Legal Aspects of the Case
Djeukam TCHAMENI is a civilian being prosecuted by a military court for peaceful political expression. This constitutes a violation of Cameroonian law, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter.
The main legal issues include:
- Military courts have no jurisdiction over civilians (CJM,
Articles 2 & 8). - Illegal detention beyond the maximum lawful period (CJM
Article 11). - No access to legal counsel and repeated psychological
pressure, violating fair-trial guarantees. - Charges entirely unsupported by material evidence.
International standards classify his case as:
- Category II Arbitrary Detention — detention for exercising freedom of expression
- Category III Arbitrary Detention — absence of fair-trial guarantees
Documents available for download
Press Release
Write to the President of Cameroon
Your voice can make a real impact.
Use the link below to navigate to form to send a message directly to the Office of the President of Cameroon. Your email will be automatically sent to cellcom@prc.cm, the official public communication address of the Presidency.
Call on President Paul Biya to:
- Immediately release Djeukam TCHAMENI, Anicet EKANE, and all political detainees
- End the use of military courts against civilians
- Respect the Constitution, the African Charter, and international human rights obligations
- Restore civil liberties and guarantee the right to peaceful political participation
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humanitarian support for the release of Djeukam TCHAMENI, and all political prisoners in
Cameroon.