cm politician hiram iyodi calls for release of patrick mengue

• Patrick Mengue, a young Cameroonian, was sentenced to six months in prison for outraging President Paul Biya.
• Samuel Hiram Iyodi, who was a presidential candidate, has called for Mengue's immediate release.
• The case dates back to the announcement of former Senate President Marcel Niat's death, where Mengue posted a comment on social media.
• Cameroon's defamation law has been criticized for its broad scope and use to silence critics.
• The conviction highlights the risks of criticizing high-ranking officials in Cameroon.

La place de Patrick Mengue, comme celle de plein d’autres…, n’est pas en prison.

Samuel Hiram Iyodi, who was a presidential candidate in the October 2025 elections, has urged the immediate release of Patrick Mengue, a young Cameroonian sentenced to six months in prison for outraging President Paul Biya. Mengue was convicted on July 27, 2026, by the Yaoundé First Instance Court and ordered to pay a fine of 28,000 FCFA, with the court also confiscating his phone used to publish the offending comment.

Iyodi's call for release comes after he took notice of the sentence, which he described as 'not in line with our democracy.' He expressed solidarity with Mengue and his family, while also supporting the effective exercise of his rights to defense and appeal. Iyodi emphasized that Mengue's place is not in prison, echoing a sentiment shared by many Cameroonians.

The case dates back to the announcement of the death of former Senate President Marcel Niat, where Mengue posted a comment on social media saying 'Seigneur tu te rapproches déjà de la cible encore un effort STP.' Authorities interpreted this as an indirect attack on President Paul Biya.

Cameroon's defamation law has been criticized for its broad scope, allowing the government to prosecute individuals for criticizing high-ranking officials. The law has been used to silence critics and stifle freedom of speech in the country. In this case, Mengue was charged with outraging President Biya, which is a common charge used to muzzle dissenting voices.

The conviction highlights the risks of criticizing high-ranking officials in Cameroon, and may impact individuals' freedom of expression and online activities. Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of these risks and take necessary precautions when advising clients on online activities and public statements.

The Mengue case is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by Cameroonians in exercising their right to free speech. The conviction sends a chilling message that criticizing high-ranking officials can lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment.

Iyodi's call for release underscores the need for a re-examination of the case and a review of Cameroon's defamation law. This development highlights the importance of protecting freedom of expression in the country and ensuring that individuals are not silenced for speaking their minds.

Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware that this development highlights the risks of criticizing high-ranking officials in Cameroon, and may impact their clients' freedom of expression and online activities.

Source: Original reporting via Actu Cameroun