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Publication Director Haman Mana continues to salute the memory of the man who opened the doors of freedom of expression to the Cameroonian press.

Death does not always erase memories. 14 years after the disappearance of Pius Njawé, the man who founded the legendary newspaper Le Messager, his colleague Haman Mana, Director of Publication, continues to pay tribute to him. For this year, he has chosen to give the tribute he made on the day of the death of the man who worked for freedom of the Cameroonian press.

“Once upon a time, there was Pius Njawe. When destiny, with its heavy and cruel hammer, strikes so hard, it is better to remain silent. To face the devastating pain and the anger that wells up. But speaking, saying, writing was the mark of Pius Njawe. On the day of his death, silence would be the worst offense to him. Today in Cameroon, in a newspaper, one can write in complete freedom and in one’s soul and conscience, whatever one wants. There are men who, at the cost of their freedom, so many times, or of their physical integrity, often, have pushed back the lines. Pius Njawe was one of these fighters. The rare courage of this character was built with the cement of his faith in a profession, journalism and the iron of his credo in a bundle of values: freedom, democracy and progress. There was a lot of fuss a few months ago when the founder of Le Messager wanted to give a lavish stamp to the thirtieth anniversary of the newspaper he founded with three cents and his goodwill alone in Bafoussam…

The truth is that Le Messager has broken down the doors through which what is today the so-called “private” Cameroonian press has rushed in. Better than a very weak opposition, than an inaudible civil society, there is this press which, despite its fragilities, speaks. It allows Cameroonians to express themselves and to know. They access unofficial truths through it. The day they take their destiny in hand, it will also be because this press has enlightened. Few men of faith and struggle – except Nelson Mandela, the idol of Puis Njawe whose giant photo adorns the office at Le Messager – see the outcome of their life’s struggles in their lifetime. Most of the time their standard remains planted…” wrote the boss of the daily newspaper Le Jour.

As a reminder, Pius Njawé died on July 12, 2010 in Norfolk, Virginia (United States). He was known for being a journalist who campaigned for human rights and freedom of the press in Cameroon.