Four journalists and a lawyer representing migrants deported by the United States to Cameroon were detained Tuesday by Cameroonian authorities although reporting on the program, according to accounts from those detained and legal representatives.
The group was held at a state-run compound in Yaoundé, where deportees are being held, according to lawyer Joseph Awah Fru, who was among those detained. Fru and freelance journalist Randy Joe Sa’ah reported that three Associated Press journalists were also detained for approximately five hours before being released Tuesday evening. Authorities confiscated the journalists’ equipment, including laptops, phones, and cameras, citing sensitive information.
The detentions occurred as reporting focused on a previously undisclosed U.S. Program deporting migrants—including individuals with active protection orders from U.S. Courts—to Cameroon, despite having no ties to the country. At least 15 non-Cameroonian citizens have been sent to Cameroon by the U.S. Since January, according to attorney Alma David.
Fru described the detentions as government “intimidation” and stated he is now representing the journalists as well. He reported that one of the journalists displayed bruises upon release. He further stated he was unaware of any charges being filed against himself or the journalists, questioning the legal basis for their detention given his right as counsel to meet with clients.
A separate deportation flight carrying additional third-country nationals arrived in Yaoundé on Monday, according to David. The deportations to Cameroon are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to secure third-country deportation agreements, allowing the U.S. To remove migrants to nations other than their country of origin. Government documents and interviews with lawyers indicate that many deportees had received protection orders preventing their removal due to potential persecution in their home countries.
Cameroon’s Justice Ministry has not responded to requests for comment regarding the detentions or the deportations. Some deportees have reported being pressured by local authorities to return to their countries of origin or face indefinite detention.
