human rights defender
Urgent support needed
(AI translated) Legal and judicial support for his release.
HRD's year of birth
1976
HRD's Gender
Man
Type of HRD
- Trade union leader
- Whistle blower
HRD's thematic area of engagement
- Civil and political rights
HRD's geographical origin
Urban
Current Status
In prison (pre-trial)
HRD's bio and work
(AI translated) André Blaise Essama, nicknamed ‘the fighter’, born on 28 April 1976, is a Cameroonian activist known for having been imprisoned following the destruction of statues and monuments of colonial figures in Cameroon.
He grew up in several towns across Cameroon, including Maroua, Garoua, Bamenda, Bafoussam and Douala, due to his father’s work assignments. He obtained a G3 baccalaureate with a specialisation in marketing, before going on to study computer science.
In the early 2000s, he developed an interest in issues of historical memory and colonial symbols, which gradually shaped his activist commitment.
His activist activities led to him being imprisoned for disturbing public order. He was arrested at least 78 times over 17 years of activism. He has at times spent up to six months in prison and has been ordered to pay fines totalling several million CFA francs (several thousand euros). He also opposes the government of Paul Biya, whom he perceives as a ‘postcolonial figure’.
Detained since
Nov 7, 2025
Charge(s)
- Spreading fake news
Sentence
(AI translated) March 2026 – the activist André Blaise Essama has not yet been sentenced. He was initially placed in administrative detention for fifteen days on the orders of the governor of the Littoral region. When this period expired, no legal extension was notified, and no committal order was issued to regularise his situation before a judge.
Latitude: 4.029452117696197
Longitude: 9.708137512207033
Geolocation of detention
Country or area of detention
Region of detention
- Africa: Sub-Saharan Africa
Location of detention - City/Town
Douala
Location of detention - Facility
Prison centrale de new-bell
Allegations / reports of ill-treatment
(AI translated) Prison conditions are very poor, with severe overcrowding and a lack of appropriate medical care for certain medical conditions.
Whilst the city of Douala is experiencing widespread power cuts and sweltering heat, André Blaise Essama is being held in total darkness, deprived of even the most basic air
Recent case update / evolution
(AI translated) On 13 March 2026, the support group for André Blaise Essama called for his release
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