STATEMENT BY MIMI MEFO TAKAMBOU AFTER HER RELEASE FROM THE NEW BELL PRISON

Dear Family,

I want to begin this appreciative note by thanking God almighty for my release from the Douala Central Prison in New Bell on Saturday November 10, 2018. God’s love towards his children is ever fresh and ever growing.

To YOU my friends, you demonstrated that a friend in need is a friend indeed. I will forever remain indebted to the numerous calls through my lawyers and mother, your visits, your gifts and your prayers.

To YOU my visual friends(social media platforms) Yes, we have never met, but you treated my case with an exceptional and undiluted attention. All over, you changed your profile pictures, wrote messages, contributed money for my defense among others. I ask myself today, what did I really do, to have deserved these special treatments from you, whom I describe today as « Good Samaritans. » God bless you.

To YOU my colleagues, I have never seen such a solidarity demonstrated by media men and women in Cameroon. Tears ran down my cheeks when I read the stories you published in your newspapers, online campaigns on websites, radio and television reports. In fact I can now say, we have reached that level of mobilization we used to see only in the judicial core. Special thanks to the National Union of Cameroonian Journalists, SNJC, which took the case to another level by also providing me with a defense team. I cannot forget the indefatigable efforts put in place by CAMASEJ Douala Chapter and National Bureau to mount pressure for my release.

To YOU Equinoxe Television and my immediate colleagues, I watched a replay of the news and it made me cry. You did not only stand for me but you stood for justice and press freedom. You all had sleepless nights, from my boss, Mr Sèverin Tchounkeu to every member of La Nouvelles Expression media group.

To YOU my family, you gave me comfort, you gave me hope, you gave me attention and I want to say today that I am happy to have come from our wonderful family. Family is indeed gold.

To YOU my defense team, you demonstrated resilience and professionalism, even without taking a dime, you defended me, you stood by me and provided every legal assistance till my release, the case might still be on but you have fought a good fight.

I am happy for my release but at the same time I feel that every journalist who is in prison today needs to be out. Their place is on the field , gathering and dessiminating information and not in jail. I have been a strong advocate of press freedom and that has not changed.

Thank YOU all, friends, colleagues, lawyers, family and well wishers.