The rape incident in Bamenda last Monday involving a 17 year
old breastfeeding teenage Mother and a Soldier that went viral on social media
has sparked a diplomatic roar between Cameroon and former colonial master France.
The controversy which rather gave the rape story more
visibility we gathered was sparked by two soldiers who are sources say stormed
the French Cultural center popularly called Alliance Francaise in Bamenda in
search for some people they called suspects.
The soldiers stormed the center our source indicated because
they saw some people by the gate pointing at them while they were on patrol and
so wanted to know why they were pointing at them. As we search further we
gathered that the people who were pointing at them were the raped teenage girl
who was sharing her ordeal with others and pointing at where she was raped.
As soon as they saw the soldiers heading towards them, they
immediately took to their heels together with the rape victim. Before they (the
soldiers) could arrive the gate of Allaince Francaise, the gate keeper sensing
danger quickly bolt the gate from inside. The noise at the gate will soon force
out the Director of the center Mbatchou Nana Ricardo from his office to the
gate. While at the gate, the soldiers demanded that he opens the gate but a
conversation will ensue for some time before the Director will open the gate
after advising them that it was wrong for them to enter the center worst still
with guns.
Admitting that soldiers entered the center to this reporter,
Nana Ricardo noted that at the time he came out to meet the soldiers at the
gate from where they will later enter the center, he had no idea as to what had
happened. He also admits cautioning them severally not to enter the center with
guns.
After practically forcing their way into the center with
ready to use guns searching everywhere, information immediately got to the
French Embassy from where they immediately contacted the Ministries of Defense
and External relations.
In no distant time, regional security authorities could be
seen assembling at the Alliance Francaise Bamenda to establish the veracity of
the incident. We learned it was because of orders that came from Yaoounde
demanding the matter be haddled immediately.
As all of these happened a video of the raped breast feeding
teenager appeared on social media with her narrating how she was raped in a
patrol station by according to her a Police Officer after she could not present
an ID card. Despite all her pleas that she was a nursing mother and only 17years
old, the “officer still removed” her dresses and slept with her. She narrates
in tears. There has been general condemnation of the act of social media by
Cameroonians demanding justice for the young lady.
Unlike many other cases where investigations will be open, a
message immediately appeared on social media indicating that a soldier has been
arrested to that effect and to be tried Tuesday at the Bamenda Military Court.
We learned that such speedy action was taken thanks to the implication of the
French diplomatic services on the matter.
If found guilty as per the Cameroon penal code, the suspected
soldier is likely to face between five to ten years imprison term. It will be
the decision of the judges to decide if he was an authority that should protect
the teenager. If the decision is yes the perpetrator may face more than ten
years.
At Press time our
sources confirmed that the young girl was receiving medical attention while the
suspected soldier was to appear before the Military Court.
Cameroon’s defense Minister made a press release admitting
the soldier committed the act and assures everyone that the perpetrator will be
effectively punished.