Javier Alvarez/SOS MEDITERRANEE
Aisha*, 39, comes from Douala, Cameroon. A women’s rights activist, she had to flee her country after being arrested and tortured for denouncing violence against women in the war-torn English-speaking regions. Her exile took her to Russia before she tried to rebuild her life in Libya.
SOS MEDITERRANEE / Lucille Guenier
I was arrested, thrown in prison, and tortured. As soon as I got out, I was threatened. Life in Libya was a nightmare. I endured extreme violence. So, I decided to flee...across the Mediterranean.
Aisha and her one-year-old daughter were rescued on January 20, 2025 from an overcrowded rubber boat in the Libyan Search and Rescue Region.
“My name is Aisha. I come from the city of Douala in Cameroon. I am 39 years old, and I fled Libya with my one-year-old daughter.
I had to flee my country because I was persecuted and tortured after protesting during the March 8 [International Women’s Day] in Black movement, in response to the violence against women linked to the conflict in Cameroon’s Anglophone provinces.
SOS MEDITERRANEE / Max Cavallari
At that time, I was working in a small shop, but I was also involved in an association that helped people affected by the conflict. I saw women and children sleeping on the ground in the bush, fleeing the violence. With my association, we tried to support them as best we could.
March 8th is International Women’s Day. Along with other women from my association, we protested by wearing black in the streets. On that day, the President’s wife encouraged women to wear colorful fabrics to celebrate. But for my colleagues and me, it was unthinkable to celebrate while so many women and children were suffering.
After the protest, I was arrested, thrown in prison, and tortured. After a few days, I was released, but as soon as I got out, I was threatened. My picture, along with those of the other women who had protested, was posted at the police station.
Thanks to a contact, I managed to escape to Russia, where I stayed for a few months. Then, I returned through Ghana and took a boat back to Cameroon… but unfortunately, the persecution continued.
I then decided to flee my country for good. I first went to Chad, where I met women who told me that I could find work in Libya. Once there, I started working as a housekeeper and also took care of children. That’s where I met my daughter’s father.
But life in Libya was a nightmare. I endured extreme violence. So, I decided to flee once again this time, across the Mediterranean.”
Testimony collected by Lucille Guenier
