René Emmanuel Sadi meets journalists released in gold glasses case

Cameroonian Minister of Communication René Emmanuel Sadi met with four journalists in Yaoundé on September 23, 2026, following their recent detention in a case known as ‘Lunettegate’. The journalists—François Essomba, Igor Amos Guinweth Bibey, Pierre Mouchili, and Solange Djuikam—were arrested on suspicion of stealing gold glasses belonging to the Minister of Economy, Alamine Ousmane Mey, during an event at the Palais des Congrès.

The glasses were reportedly located in the minister’s own vehicle after being entrusted to a staff member, leading to the journalists' release on September 21 without charges. The incident sparked significant backlash from professional organizations, including the National Union of Information and Communication Professionals (SPIC) and the Central African Human Rights Defenders Network (REDHAC), who criticized the conditions of the detention.

During the meeting, Sadi described the event as an ‘unfortunate incident’ and emphasized the importance of the relationship between public authorities and the press for democracy. He stated that press freedom is an ‘irreversible path’ and pledged to work toward the security of journalists in their professional duties.