We strongly condemn the Cameroonian government’s ban on the activities of and sustained attacks against the Network of Human Rights Defenders in Central Africa (REDHAC, by its French acronym), led by RFK Human Rights Award Laureate Maximillienne Ngo Mbe. We call on the government to lift the ban, unseal REDHAC’s offices, and desist from further attacks on civil society organizations in the country. 

On December 6, 2024, the Minister of the Territorial Administration of Cameroon suspended the activities of  REDHAC for three months. Three days later, on December 9, 2025, the Deputy Prefect of Douala 1st and a squad of police broke into REDHAC’s office and put seals on the doors without notifying the members of REDHAC or following other required procedures. Despite the lapse of the term of the suspension and global condemnation, the Government continues to deny REDHAC access to its offices and bank accounts. In fact, during the ongoing session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the delegation of Cameroon doubled down on its attacks against REDHAC, stating that it was suspended for failing to abide by community rules, including “registration of donations above 500,000 CFA” (equivalent to $900). 

In addition to suspending REDHAC and its bank accounts, the Government instituted multiple legal actions against the organization, weaponizing the judicial system to discourage and penalize REDHAC for its human rights work – a move technically termed Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP). The first case alleges that the leaders of REDHAC attempted to breach state security and engaged in financing terrorism in Cameroon. The other investigation pertains to the breach of the seals at the offices of REDHAC. Since January, leaders and staff of REDHAC, including Maximilienne Ngo Mbe and co-chair and President Alice Nkom, have responded to multiple summons before the Judicial Police Division of the Littoral in Douala, the Prefect of the Wouri Department, and hearings before the Court of First Instance of Douala-Bonaj. Despite their engagement with the legal process, no progress has been made on either of the cases, with the Cameroonian government delaying the procedure to maintain the suspension and retaliate against REDHAC.

As Cameroon commemorates its National Day, we call on its Government to immediately stop the attacks on REDHAC and the judicial harassment of Alice Nkom and Maximilienne Ngo Mbe and guarantee the organization’s right to cooperate freely. REDHAC empowers and protects the rights of Cameroonian civilians and is key to maintaining an enabling environment for the exercise of fundamental rights. Ensuring an enabling civic space is necessary for a democracy, especially in the context of upcoming elections later this year.