This archive report was first published on 9 June 2020.
June 9, 2020
International press freedom groups have called for an independent investigation into the death of Cameroonian journalist Samuel Wazizi, who died while in military custody 10 months ago.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) questioned the cause of his death and why it took long for his death to be made public.
Samuel Wazizi, a presenter on a local television station, was arrested on August 3, 2019, in the conflict-ridden Southwest region of Cameroon.
He was transferred to military custody on August 7 and later ferried to the capital Yaoundé six days later, where he died on August 17 due to an infection, according to the military.
However, CPJ and RSF have raised concerns about the Cameroonian government's account of Wazizi's death, with CPJ describing it as 'cruel treatment' and RSF condemning the 'bogus account' provided by authorities.
Angela Quintal, CPJ's Africa programme coordinator, called for an independent autopsy and an independent commission of inquiry to hold those responsible for Wazizi's death accountable.
RSF also demanded an 'impartial and independent investigation' into the circumstances leading to Wazizi's death.
Wazizi's family and colleagues had been unable to contact him after his arrest, and they only learned of his death through a news report on June 3, 2020.
