Illegal Immigration : Perilous Journey Some Cameroonians Undertake

The pursuit of an easier life and greener pastures have driven numerous Cameroonians to go through illegal journeys to other countries. Often, this decision stems from stories they hear about a more prosperous life and greater opportunities abroad. Recently, a blog published a letter written by a 16-year-old student in Douala to her parents, saying she has left home with FCFA 1.6 million intended for illegal travel to an uncertain destination. Most of those involved are young people, determined to go abroad at all costs, even if it means losing everything in the process. Along the way, they encounter unexpected hurdles that leave them devastated and frustrated. Some remain determined, while others succumb to the challenges.
Elvis Akum, is one of such Cameroonians who faced significant challenges while trying to reach Germany through the desert. He recounts fleeing the country in 2021, due to the socio-political crisis, and setting out for a three-week journey. However, that was not the case. “I spent two years in the desert on my way to Germany.” He explains that the journey was perilous from the very beginning. “Nine of us were left halfway into the desert by a vehicle designed for just four people. We spent a week surviving only on a bottle of water and no shelter.” During his journey, he witnessed kidnappings, assaults and lifeless bodies of those who succumbed to harsh desert conditions. Elvis revealed that he narrowly escaped deportation multiple times, “I was imprisoned in Niger and Algeria. I was deported twice back to the Sahara Desert, but the third time, I escaped for good. From Algeria, I trekked for seven days to reach the interior of Tunisia.” 
Another Cameroonian, who wishes to remain anonymous, describes her experience as one filled with tribulations and resilience. “I left the country because life was stagnant. I had to survive. I spent most of my time crying, fleeing from kidnappe...