Journalist’s Arrest Sparks Outrage in Central African Republic
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the media community, journalist Landry Ulrich Nguéma Ngokpélé, editor of the privately owned newspaper Le Quotidien de Bangui, was arrested and jailed on May 8 in the Central African Republic. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is calling on authorities to drop the prosecution, citing that the charges against Ngokpélé "send a chilling signal across the media sector" in the country.
According to Ngokpélé’s lawyer, Roger Junior Loutomo, the journalist was arrested by a man in civilian clothes who pointed a gun at him and threatened to shoot if he refused to cooperate. This dramatic and intimidating arrest has raised concerns about the safety and freedom of journalists in the Central African Republic. Moussa Ngom, CPJ’s Francophone Africa representative, emphasized that "Central African Republic authorities must secure his immediate release and ensure journalism is not criminalized."
The charges against Ngokpélé stem from a report published in his newspaper on April 22, which claimed that former President François Bozizé had returned to the capital, Bangui. Bozizé, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for possible crimes against humanity, has been living in exile in Guinea Bissau. The report sparked a chain of events that led to Ngokpélé’s arrest and subsequent charges of complicity in rebellion, spreading information likely to disturb public order, inciting hatred and revolt, and subversion against the constitution and the state.
The case has highlighted the complexities of the Central African Republic’s legal system, where offenses involving journalism should fall under the press law, which would only carry fines. However, the charge sheet cites sections of the penal code, which could result in prison time if Ngokpélé is found guilty. This discrepancy has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to protecting press freedom and the rule of law.
Ngokpélé’s arrest is not an isolated incident; he was previously detained for over two months in 2021. The government spokesperson, Maxime Balalou, claimed to be "closely" following the case, but his lack of response to CPJ’s requests for information has only added to the uncertainty and concern surrounding Ngokpélé’s situation.
As the international community watches, the CPJ’s call for Ngokpélé’s release serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting press freedom and the role of journalists in holding those in power accountable. The Central African Republic authorities must take immediate action to ensure Ngokpélé’s safety and release, and to guarantee that journalism is not criminalized in the country. The world is waiting to see how this situation will unfold, and whether the government will uphold its commitment to protecting the rights of journalists and the freedom of the press.