(Reported speech with contextual elaboration) Samuel, a young man from the Anglophone region of Cameroon, recounted how he believed death was imminent when he was arrested for participating in peaceful protests in 2016. He explained that he had joined demonstrations led by English-speaking lawyers and teachers, who were protesting the imposition of French in courts and schools—something that Anglophones in Cameroon saw as cultural oppression by the Francophone-dominated government. He reported that during a late-night raid by security forces, he was dragged from his home, detained without trial, and tortured in custody. According to him, the prison conditions were inhumane: he was starved, beaten with rods, denied medical attention, and left with two broken legs. His account mirrors the experiences of many others detained in the aftermath of protests during the early years of the Anglophone Crisis—an ongoing conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced over 700,000 people. Samuel stated that a compassionate prison guard helped him escape, and with support from his family, he fled to Ecuador—one of the few countries that did not require a visa from Cameroonian nationals. From Ecuador, he embarked on a grueling journey northward through South and Central America, aiming to seek asylum in the United States. He said he crossed into Colombia and then faced one of the most dangerous parts of his journey: the Darién Gap, a lawless stretch of jungle between Colombia and Panama known for its harsh terrain, armed criminal groups, and deadly river crossings. Samuel shared that he went four days without food, nearly drowned, and witnessed the bodies of fellow migrants who did not survive. From Panama, his journey continued through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and finally Mexico. He described each step as filled with fear, uncertainty, and danger. When he arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border in Tijuana, he said he was forced to wait months to be allowed to request asylum due to restrictive border policies. Upon entering the U.S., Samuel was detained in a Southern California ICE facility for nine months. He said the experience was dehumanizing, with poor medical care, cold meals, and limited contact with the outside world. Eventually, he was released thanks to the help of immigrant advocacy organizations. ⸻ Context: The Anglophone Crisis and Cameroon’s Political Reality Cameroon, under President Paul Biya, who has ruled since 1982, is deeply divided between its French-speaking majority and English-speaking minority. The Anglophone Crisis that began in 2016 escalated when government forces brutally suppressed peaceful protests. Since then, both government forces and separatist militias have been accused of human rights abuses, including executions, village burnings, and kidnappings. The conflict has pushed thousands to flee, with some, like Samuel, making the perilous trek through Latin America in search of safety. President Biya, who is 91 years old, is Africa’s longest-serving leader and has signaled intent to run for re-election in 2025. His prolonged absence from public view has raised concerns about a potential leadership crisis, while the Catholic Church and civil society have called for a peaceful political transition. Despite growing calls for reform, the repression continues—especially against Anglophone activists and communities. ⸻ Samuel’s story represents the painful journey of thousands of Cameroonians who flee one of Africa’s most overlooked crises, navigating the most dangerous migration routes in the world to find freedom and dignity.