Cintia A. , Lebledparle.com
Karim Ali was arrested in 2022 in Bamenda without a warrant and transferred to Yaoundé, where he was held in detention for more than six months without formal charges. His arrest raised concerns by human rights organisations including Front Line defenders who urged the Cameroonian government to release him as they denounc d human rights violations. Additionally, despite been a citizen he was tried by a military court. It is equally reported that throughout the legal process, Abdul Karim chose not to appear in court and also refused to acknowledge the legitimacy and authority of the tribunal, identifying himself as a Southern Cameroonian and citizen of Ambazonia.
Karim has been a vocal critic of the Cameroonian government’s approach to the Anglophone Crisis who was arrested on several basis because of his work as peace advocate. He gained recognition for consistently denouncing alleged abuses and calling attention to the plight of English-speaking communities in Cameroon.
The military court’s decision to proceed and issue a life sentence in the activist’s absence has raised fresh concerns about due process and the ongoing use of military courts to try civilians, especially in politically sensitive cases.
According to his legal team, they will consult with their client to determine their response to the pronounced verdict.
