Violence, secrecy, clanism and predation have been characterizing the offenses of Paul Biya for a long time, who has reigned over Cameroon since 1982. But the assassination of Martinez Zogo, Radio Tourist Purpose of Corruption Instructed At the top of the state, by the degree of savagery and the moment it occurred, shortly before 90 e anniversary of the autocrat, Monday, February 13, shows that everything will be allowed, even The worst, in the ruthless open war for his succession.
Martinez Zogo, 51, popular votes of FM amplitude, a radio where he denounced daily the mafia functioning of the rivals of the regime, was kidnapped on January 17, in Yaoundé. His atrociously mutilated body was found five days later. In a country where journalism is a dangerous job exposed to pressures, the scenario is an unbearable message of intimidation. A crime with the appearance of a state scandal which, for the whole world, must arouse horror, anger and indignation.
The murder preceded by torture of a journalist is a terrible signal of the decomposition of a regime whose republican institutions mask monarchical functioning and where justice under orders is used to eliminate ambitious and opponents. A threat also for all civic rights and freedoms. A fortiori when, as is the case, this kill seems to have been executed by state agents.
All manipulations are possible, but the arrest of several managers of the intelligence services and the testimony collected by Reporters Without Borders presenting as the main sponsor of the assassination the businessman Jean-Pierre Amougou-Belinga accredit it Thesis of a state crime registering in the context of the race for the succession of Paul Biya.
heavy worries
m. Amougou-Bellinga, patron of a group of media, whose business rests on its influence networks in high places, was itself arrested on February 6. Martinez Zogo accused him in his programs of taking advantage of the generosity and support of finance ministers and justice. Two senior officials who are precisely two figures in the lead in one of the clans in the running for power, in rivalry with another faction, led by the secretary general of the presidency, who was the first to announce the arrests.