The United States ambassador to Cameroon, Christopher John Lamora, has expressed condolence to the news media family following the murder of Martinez Zogo, a journalist with Amplitude FM Radio. He also expressed hope that the investigation opened by the government of Cameroon would bring justice.
His Excellency Lamora was speaking at the US Embassy in Yaounde during a press conference on twenty years of activity by “The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief” PEPFAR.
“We hope that the government’s commitment to conduct a thorough investigation would come to fruition and that the people responsible for Martinez’ death would be known and would be brought to justice. Our Secretary of state equivalent to a foreign minister said back in November that all governments have the responsibility to protect the lives of journalists to do their job. Journalism is so important for the life of any country and for the life of any democracy. In the United State, we talk about the fourth state and when we say that, we mean that basically the journalism profession is on a path with the three other branches of government because of the important role that you play and so I am hopeful that the investigation would be conducted as the government has committed to … that they would be transparent …and the results would be made public” the diplomat said, raising concern for the killed journalist.
Earlier on January 23rd, the US Embassy tweeted a statement condemning the act that led to the death of Martinez Zogo “The U.S. Embassy expresses its sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of journalist Martinez Zogo. All governments must continue to protect and promote the rights of a free press and the safety of journalists and we note the Cameroonian government’s commitment to investigate and bring to justice those responsible for the heinous tragedy” the tweet read
Several other organisations have either shown concern or deplored the tragic death of the pressman including the Cameroon National Communication Council, the Cameroon Ministry of Communication, UNESCO, the Human Rights and Legal Research Centre, the African Bar Association, The Parliamentary Network Against Mob Justice, The Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists, the Cameroon journalist Trade Union among several others.
Martinez Zogo who was journalist and station manager of Amplitude FM in Yaounde, Centre Region of Cameroon was found dead on 22 January 2023. His body was found along Soa, a neighborhood in Yaounde. He is suspected to have been killed by unidentified persons who kidnapped him.
Photo: Candles are lighted infront of a picture of late Martinez Zogo during his funeral.
By Mildred Ndum Wung Kum
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