Two political figures have been detained as part of an investigation into threats against the security of the State in Cameroon, according to the spokesman of the Government of Cameroon.
Master Abdoulaye Harissou, well-known notary and frame of the UDC opposition party was arrested on 27 August in Maroua. Aboubakar Sidiki, president Mouvement patriotique du salut Camerounais (MPSC), however was arrested on 9 August in Douala. Since then, their families were unaccounted for. According to the Government, they would have been in contact with Central African armed groups.
The Cameroonian Government spokesman refused to give any precision. Issa Tchiroma Bakary said simply that the two men were "still in operation", stating that it was a term used by the intelligence services. No details on the name of the armed group with which the two politicians have been in contact.
The Cameroonian Minister merely explained that his country was already a past victim of attacks on the part of Central African armed groups. When the time comes, added Issa Tchiroma Bakary, security services will allow families and lawyers to visit them. The Government spokesman denies that these arrests violate the Cameroonian criminal procedure code. "We are a State of law," he insists. This is obviously not the opinion of counsel for master Harissou.
They believe that on the contrary, the procedure had been violated. No summons, illegal detention and in an unknown location, no visit, not even from lawyers. Master Harissou councils request to have access to their client in the shortest time. In the entourage of the frame of the UDC, the question especially if it is not a political manipulation on the part of the power.
The notary and opponent is presented as a close associate of jailed former Minister Marafa Hamidou Yaya. Former Secretary general at the Presidency who was sentenced to 25 years in prison for embezzlement in the purchase of a presidential plane operation.
