Sequence of Events

On January 18, 2025, Amos Kamara and Bilal Omar were detained at the Mbaléré checkpoint on the border between Cameroon and the Central African Republic. According to the men's accounts, border officials conducted a routine document check before proceeding to inspect the cargo hold, where they reported finding an old mobile phone beneath a mattress containing video content they characterized as depicting male homosexual acts. The men denied any connection to the device but were not believed.


Both were formally arrested under Articles 347 and 348 of the Cameroonian Penal Code, which classify intimate acts between men as offenses "against the natural order," punishable by up to five years imprisonment. A preliminary hearing was held at the Mbaléré Local Court on January 22. With no conclusive evidence, no verdict was issued and the men were remanded to Douala Central Prison to await further proceedings.

Detention Conditions

Douala Central Prison, built during the colonial era, has a designed capacity of approximately 800 but currently holds over 2,500 inmates. The two men were held in a communal cell of under 20 square meters housing more than 30 detainees, with virtually no access to the outside world. Approximately three months into their detention, they were able to pass a letter to a visiting International Red Cross worker, which eventually reached the aid organization Not Alone Project.

Aid Organization Intervention

Not Alone Project, founded in 2018, operates an office in Cameroon. Upon receiving the letter, the organization formed a dedicated case team. Director Hélène Diouf stated that the evidentiary basis for the charges was severely lacking — the video in question did not allow identification of the individuals depicted — and that procedural irregularities had occurred during the investigation. Despite this, hearings were repeatedly postponed on grounds that further verification was needed. The organization ultimately secured the men's release on October 9, 2025 through a payment arrangement, marking 251 days in detention.

Situation After Release

Upon returning to their home communities, both men faced social stigma and exclusion linked to the allegations against them. They have since resumed work as truck drivers and participate in activities organized by Not Alone Project.


Africa Editorial Office: Adeola