{"id":1295,"date":"2021-10-05T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-05T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.afrilabs.com\/index.php\/2021\/10\/05\/freerebecca-3\/"},"modified":"2021-10-05T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-10-05T00:00:00","slug":"freerebecca-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.afrilabs.com\/index.php\/2021\/10\/05\/freerebecca-3\/","title":{"rendered":"#FreeRebecca"},"content":{"rendered":"

The past few days have not been a pleasant one for the African Innovation Ecosystem, especially the AfriLabs network as Rebecca Enonchong, our Board Chair and one of Africa\u2019s most prominent tech entrepreneurs, has been detained since Tuesday, the 10th of August, 2021 in her home country, Cameroon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rebecca was illegally and unlawfully arrested and has been held at the Gendarmerie L\u00e9gion in Douala, Cameroon for 3 (three) nights, without any legal, written formal charges, warrant, or summons in her name. This is a blatant disregard of her fundamental rights accorded to her by the <\/span>African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights to which the Republic of Cameroon is a signatory<\/i><\/b> which stipulates that freedom, equality, justice, and dignity are essential objectives for the legitimate aspirations for the African people.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A timeline of injustice<\/b><\/p>\n

According to Rebecca\u2019s lawyers, on the 10th day of August 2021, the Commander of the Littoral Gendarmerie L\u00e9gion in Douala, Cameroon invited Rebecca Enonchong to his office for a courtesy visit. Upon her arrival, Rebecca Enonchong was interrogated and detained, which continued the following day, without just cause. Rebecca was informed she was being prosecuted for contempt of court, on the person of <\/span>Mr<\/b> Jean Claude Robert FOE<\/b>,<\/span> Attorney General of the Littoral Court of Appeal<\/b>. She was also notified that she was to be taken into custody on the instructions of the same Mr Foe. <\/span><\/p>\n

On the 11th day of August 2021, we were informed of the illegal detention and arrest of Rebecca Enonchong by Jean Claude Robert FOE, Attorney General, at the Gendarmerie L\u00e9gion in Douala, Cameroon.<\/span><\/p>\n

August 12, 2021, she was again taken to the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Bonanjo and awaited the instructions that would be given by the Public Prosecutor but he has refused to receive Rebecca Enonchong\u2019s lawyers. The lawyers have requested clarity on their client\u2019s case since the \u201ccase file is empty\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

August 13, 2021, Rebecca Enonchong is still deprived of her freedom at the pleasure of the Attorney General who is both judge and party in this case.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

What can we do?<\/b><\/p>\n

As a community, we will not sit back and watch one of us get robbed of her fundamental human rights. Here is what you can do to help:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Join us in this appeal against injustice by signing<\/span> this petition<\/span><\/a> and sharing it with your network. Use the hashtag <\/span>#FreeRebecca<\/b> to post about it on social media. <\/span><\/li>\n
  2. We are compiling a list of contact details of relevant embassies and influential organisations that can help put pressure on the Cameroonian Government for the release of Rebecca Enonchong. We have compiled what we have so far in a spreadsheet and your input will be appreciated. <\/span>Access the database here.<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Take a picture of yourself holding a placard or piece of paper with the inscription #FreeRebecca. Share the picture on social media and use the same hashtag. You can also use <\/span>this image<\/span><\/a> as your display picture on social media to create more awareness. <\/span>Here is a<\/span> pre-written tweet<\/span><\/a> that you can use.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Call anyone you know in Cameroon and make the case for them to call the authorities. If in Cameroon, call the authorities and make the case for her release.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Make an appointment at the Cameroonian Embassy in your country and go with other investors and entrepreneurs as a team to make a case for Rebecca to the Ambassador – and go with a written statement if possible.<\/li>\n
  6. If you have any information that would be helpful to her case as well as would like to support strategically or volunteer time, please email tessy@afrilabs.com<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    The global community is watching<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n

    #FreeRebecca<\/a>: Global Voices Sub-Saharan Africa condemns the arbitrary arrest and detention of Cameroon\u2019s tech leader Rebecca Enonchong https:\/\/t.co\/Xtkg0c77m9<\/a> via @feathersproject<\/a> & @NjeriWangari<\/a><\/p>\n

    — Njeri wa Wangar\u0129 (@Kenyanpoet) August 12, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n