Professor Aba'a Oyono has filed a complaint with the Yaoundé Military Court against several senior officers of the National Gendarmerie. The academic denounces the conditions of his arrest in October 2025, which he considers a violation of his rights.
According to the document dated March 24, 2026, and addressed to the government commissioner at the Yaoundé Military Court, the research professor recounts his arrest at his home on October 25, 2025. This arrest took place in a context of post-election tensions. He claims he was arrested in the presence of his family and in conditions he describes as violent and humiliating.
Following his arrest, Aba'a Oyono was detained for over a month before being released on December 5, 2025. In his complaint, he cites aggravated home invasion, aggravated arrest and kidnapping, abuse of power, as well as acts of coercion, complicity and conditional threats.
Upon his release, the professor announced his intention to take legal action for the damages suffered. This complaint filed with the Yaoundé Military Court marks a new stage in this case.
Cameroonian military courts have often been criticized for their lack of impartiality, particularly by the UN. Human rights organizations regularly denounce the use of these courts to try civilians, which contravenes international standards. The jurisdiction of these courts extends to offenses committed by military personnel, offenses against the laws of war, armed banditry, and certain offenses involving civilians in military establishments.
In March 2026, Aba'a Oyono also claimed 3 billion CFA francs from the Director General of the DGRE (Directorate General of External Research) for his detention, which he considers illegal.
The case comes in a context of political tensions and restrictions on freedoms in Cameroon, where critical voices are often the target of arrests and detentions.
