Cameroon

This phenomenon has long been marginalized, especially by Cameroonian authorities, and by African ones in general. In fact, authorities consider migration an epiphenomenon, since the vast majority of the tragedies that concern these migrants happen far from national borders, in the Mediterranean sea and often in the desert.

The key event that brought media attention to the situation in Cameroon, swaying public opinion worldwide, is the tragedy of February 6th 2014. On that day, off the coast of Tarajal, more than 15 people of sub-Saharian origins, including some young Cameroonians, lost their lives in the attempt to reach the Spanish coast swimming. Some of the survivors testified that the Spanish Civil Guard shot rubber bullets and used tear gas against the migrants who were swimming, trying to reach dry land. The tragedy caused immense grief to numerous Cameroonian families, who later set up a legal association to demand justice, truth and reparations for the deaths of their relatives.

However, borders continue to make Cameroonian families drown in grief, and they continue to be one of the main scourges that decimate African youth.

The victims’ families remain united and will persist in demonstrating without break to get some responses to their demands.

“Missing at the borders” is a self-financed project. Your donations will be used to collect further interviews with the families of deceased or missing migrants or victims of forced disappearance. Thank you!