Thirty-six African migrants, who were deported from the United States to Cameroon in 2026, initiated a legal process in Yaoundé in late July. These petitioners, originating from countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Angola, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Senegal, Zimbabwe, and Morocco, had previously secured judicial protections in the United States against being sent back to their respective home nations.

Through their legal filing, the group seeks to obtain judicial protection from Cameroon and aims for the suspension of the existing migration agreement with Washington. Their attorney, Joseph Fru Awah, stated that the petition also endeavors to prevent any potential repatriation of these individuals to their countries of origin.

Attorney Joseph Fru Awah details legal objectives

“As with any legal action we undertake in court, we are hopeful that the tribunal will grant our requests,” explained Joseph Fru Awah. “We are asking the court to suspend the exchange of notes that exists between Cameroon and the United States. We also request that Cameroon clarify the legal status of these individuals. Thirdly, we want the court to prevent Cameroon from sending these people back.”

Legality of the migration pact questioned

Joseph Fru Awah commented on the perceived financial interests Cameroon might have in the migration agreement with the United States. “I am not aware of any financial aspects, nor am I authorized to discuss agreements between two sovereign nations. As a lawyer, my concern lies with the legality of these agreements. While Cameroon and the United States have the right to enter into any agreement, this pact must be legal. It must adhere to procedures accepted by both national and international law, and this is precisely what we demand.”

My fundamental question, as an attorney, is whether this agreement is legal. Since we assert here that this agreement is not legal under international and national law, we are asking the court, as an arbiter, to suspend this agreement, to ask Cameroon to clarify the legal status of these applicants, and furthermore, to prevent Cameroon from expelling these people.”

Deported migrants’ living conditions described as dire

Regarding the current living conditions of these migrants, Joseph Fru Awah painted a grim picture. “These are individuals who are psychologically traumatized. To give you an example, they have been here for six months, and some among them have been hospitalized five times within that period — that is far too frequent. Therefore, I would say the situation is pitiable, it is deplorable. It is precisely for this reason that we initiated this introductory request for proceedings.”