BY EVELYN KUBU
The defense forces and other security operatives have established both search and arrest warrants for the apprehension of many alleged Anglophone activists, homosexuals and lesbians amidst the ongoing armed conflict raging on in the North West and South West Regions since 2017.
Anglophones suspected to be siding with separatist fighters have been declared wanted and their whereabouts remains cloudy, while those alleged to be finding pleasure in same sex relationship both home and abroad don’t have a place in Cameroon.
Same sex relationship is considered a taboo in most communities and above all it is criminalised in Cameroon and those suspected to be practicing it, if arrested are either harmed or possibly killed.
The alleged Anglophone activists, including those practicing same sex relationships have been considered as dangerous and threat to the public and declared wanted. The population has equally been urged to be vigilant and report suspects to the closest gendarmerie or police stations.
Homosexuality is illegal and criminalised in Cameroon and culprits found quilt can be punished with jail term ranging from six months to five years and a fine of from FCFA 20,000 to FCFA 200,000 according to section 347-1 of Law No. 2016/007 of 12 July 2016 of the Penal Code and Law No.2010/012 of 21 December 2010 on cyber crime and cyber criminality in its section 83-1 which criminalises online same sex proposition to a person of their sex through electronic communication with an imprisonment of one to two years and a fined of FCFA 500,000 to FCFA 1,000,000.
It is against this backdrop that the The Sun gathered, that, 22-year-old Tata Daniela Margah, currently on further studies in Canada cannot return to Cameroon. Sources say, her same sex relationship that she developed while in her college and university days, finally landed her in trouble. Elements of the Cameroon security and defense forces are said to have established a warrant of arrest against her for alleged charges of same sex relationship and for siding with and supporting separatist activities.
According to her mother, Ntamie Patience Abonwe, some policemen in uniforms raided her residence early October 2025 in search of Margah and brandished videos she took together with her same sex partner whom she has been ‘dating’ for closed to two years and posted on her social media handles like Tik Tok and Instagram.
Margah’s mother hinted that despite all efforts to convince the policemen that the videos were just innocent videos between two good friends, the policemen took offence, and said they are bent to arrest and prosecute her daughter, Tata Daniela Margah anytime she is spotted in Cameroon.
Tata Daniela’s situation is further complicated as her father, Tata Mordecia Teboh’s, whereabouts remained unknown at press time. Reports say the popular Kumba-based businessman and owner of a transportation company, and petrol filling station, dealer in the sales of cars and construction materials, was arrested by security and defense forces since September 2025 because of his political opinions on Anglophone independence, their rights, and freedom from the Francophone oppression. Family sources say the defense and security forces arrested Margah’s father for allegedly siding with separatist fighters.
At press time, those listed for arrest and to face prosecution for same sex relationship charges included Ewane Boris Becker, Okpu Etengeneng Agbor Effala Doris, Akanja Samuel, Tata Daniela Margah, amongst others. They have been declared wanted and the military keeps making impromptu patrols around their neighbourhood to arrest them. A huge sum has been announced for anybody who can disclose their whereabouts.
It should be recalled that according to gay rights defender, Barrister Alice Nkom, for the past years, homosexuals and lesbians have seen themselves thrown behind bars and jailed, which, to her, is wrong because same sex relationship is a human right.
“Those who find pleasure in the practice, their human rights must be respected,” she said.
Criminalising homosexuality, she noted, is bad law thus repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience.
In July 2013, prominent gay rights activists and journalist, Eric Lembembe was found dead in his house. His neck and feet appeared to have been broken and his face, hands and feet burnt with an electric iron.
In 2021, a court in Douala slammed a five-year jail term and a fine of FCFA 200,000 and a cost of FCFA 29,300 on two men, Njueukomloic Midrel aka Shakiro and Mouthe Roland aka Patricia, found guilty of attempted homosexuality practice.
According to Human Rights Watch, at least 38 people in Cameroon have been charged under the country’s anti-gay laws in the past three years – more than any African country.