Cameroon: Five men freed after 4 months in prison for homosexuality
LGBTI advocates say Cameroon violated the men’s privacy and human rights.
Five men were released from Kondengui Central Prison in Yaoundé, Cameroon, early last month after serving a four-month sentence for homosexuality.
Their liberation came earlier than had been feared because their personal finances allowed them to pay the relatively low fines of 30,000 CFA francs (about US $51) each, which was all the judge demanded after hearing pleas on their behalf.
Starting this year, their legal representation was provided by the LGBTI advocacy group SOS Solidarity, which received funding for a pilot legal clinic project that began in January.
The men’s troubles began last September, when police arrested Ndjonguoe Alexandre Dilan, 25, on suspicion of committing homosexual acts. At first, they offered to release him if he paid a bribe of 100,000 CFA francs (about U.S. $177).
When he couldn’t pay, they took his phone and questioned him about his private life with no lawyer present. While police searched his phone, they held Ndjonguoe in custody.
Then, between Oct. 3 and 6, on the basis of information they found in the phone, police arrested four other men: Manga Akini, 36; Souley Babanya Bachirou, 29; Tchatchou Liverin, 41; and Bachimbe Fidel, 33, a Congolese national who was a part-time teacher at the Victory Education Center, Mimboman Château.
All five men were transferred to the Yaoundé prison pending a trial and negotiations with police and prosecutors.
Finally, in December 2025, they were tried, sentenced to four months in prison and fined 30,000 CFA francs each.
Under Cameroonian law, homosexual activity is punishable by prison terms of up to five years, but six-month sentences are common.
One of the imprisoned men is married and each of them previously had a job that allowed him to support his family,
Before the arrests, none of their families knew their sexual orientations. LGBTI advocates say that police and court officials committed serious breaches of privacy and fundamental rights, including illegal surveillance, misuse of personal data, and judicial proceedings in violation of legal guarantees such as the right to a lawyer.
Cameroonian civil society and human rights defenders say that they welcome the men’s release, but the proceedings were marred by arbitrary practices and repeated violations of Article 76 of the Cameroonian Penal Code, which punishes illegal detention and abuse of authority.
Activists say that Congolese national Fidel will need extra support in finding housing and personal protection. On his behalf, discussions are under way with JAPSSO, a Cameroonian organization supported by the Global Fund that combats gender-based violence and provides legal assistance to vulnerable populations.
