Chadian journalists in search of missing colleague in Douala

The former editor-in-Chief of the Chadian National Radio (NTS) went missing since his arrival in the economic capital on March 4, 2014.

8 months without news from Noubadoum Sotinan, his Chadian and Cameroonian colleagues do not despair to find.

A joint delegation of the Union of Chadian Journalists, the Ministry of Communication and the National Office of Radio and Television of Chad arrived in Cameroon on November 12, 2014 in the context of taking steps to find the former editor-in-Chief of the Chadian National Radio (NTS).

The programme of the visit of the Chadian delegation provided inter alia, meetings with the Ambassador of Chad to Cameroon and the Chadian community living here. They were received on November 13, 2014 by the Cameroonian Minister of communication Issa Tchiroma Bakary. The Chadian Journalists called upon the solidarity of their Cameroonian colleague in the search for Noubadoum Sotinan.

"Faced with this worrying situation for the profession, for the sub-region and Chad, we solicit Cameroonian media involvement, as appropriate, channels to help us shed light on this mysterious disappearance", read the release put out by the Chadian Journalists.

It is learned that Noubadoum Sotinan, 43 years and producer at the Chadian national radio, went to Infondo, in Congo-Brazzaville where he had to attend from 2 March 7, 2014 the international Forum on indigenous peoples of Central Africa.

But arrived at the airport of Douala, where he was prevented to continue the journey because his passport was invalid. Indeed, it became impossible for him to reach Congo via Nairobi which is the capital of a country which is not a member of the economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (Cemac). After several attempts failed, Noubadoum Sotinan undertook to meet Chadians living in Douala.

He met Aoudjali Abderhamane Mahama who lodged him in a hotel in Akwa. But when Mahama came on March 4, to the hotel at 7.30 p.m. local time to invite his compatriot to dinner at his home, he did not find him. He learnt that Scott Noubadoum had been out since 5:00pm.

He still had no trace of the journalist at the hotel the next day when his benefactor returned there. The Chadian Journalists reported that "from this day, searches were conducted, contacts, including by diplomatic means and at the family level, as well as its service, but no further action.

A complaint was filed with the Prosecutor's Office in Douala and Chad for disappearance. Despite all these steps, Noubadoum Sotinan remains missing.