The High Court of Douala Bonanjo is set to deliver its verdict on March 16, 2026, in the case between the Cameroonian State and the Network of Human Rights Defenders in Central Africa (Redhac). Two prominent figures in the defense of human rights in Cameroon, Me Alice Nkom, Chair of the Board of Directors, and Maximilienne Ngo Mbe, Executive Director of Redhac, are accused of breaking seals and rebellion in co-action.
The case began in December 2024 when Redhac's offices in Douala were sealed by the Wouri prefectural authorities. This administrative decision was perceived by Redhac as arbitrary, as the organization had often criticized the human rights practices of governments in the region. According to the defense, Me Alice Nkom and Maximilienne Ngo Mbe, by entering their own offices, were only exercising a legitimate right. Redhac's legal team contests the charges against the two women, asserting that the prosecution has provided no concrete evidence to support the alleged facts.
Maximilienne Ngo Mbe has led Redhac since 2010, an organization that covers eight Central African countries and is dedicated to protecting human rights defenders and promoting fundamental freedoms. She has received several international awards for her commitment, including the International Women of Courage Award in 2021 and the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award in 2022. Me Alice Nkom, a Cameroonian lawyer, is recognized for her commitment to the rights of LGBTQI+ people in Cameroon. She is the first woman in Central Africa to become a lawyer.
Cameroonian civil society and international organizations will closely monitor the verdict on March 16. A conviction could be interpreted as a negative signal for human rights organizations, while an acquittal would strengthen their position. Redhac, through its regional action, has an impact that extends beyond Cameroon's borders. The decision of the Douala Bonanjo court will therefore resonate throughout Central Africa, where the issue of freedom of association is regularly raised.
In December 2024, the Minister of Territorial Administration ordered the suspension of Redhac for three months, citing dubious financial practices. This suspension sparked widespread criticism from human rights organizations, who saw it as an attack on freedom of association.
