Cyprus court dismisses Cameroonian asylum seeker’s appeal

Nicosia, Cyprus. An administrative court has dismissed the appeal of a 35-year-old Cameroonian asylum seeker, finding that his account did not establish grounds for international protection in Cyprus. The man entered the government-controlled areas through the north in March 2020 and applied for asylum.

Asylum application and appeal

The asylum service rejected his application in February 2024, leading him to challenge the decision before the administrative court.

In his appeal, he said he had worked as a construction contractor in Cameroon before being abducted by Ambazonian separatists in 2019. He claimed he had been forced to pay a ransom for his release.

He also said he was later arrested by the Cameroonian army for questioning and detained for four days before being released.

Claims examined by court

According to his account, the separatists subsequently accused him of collaborating with the military, while the army suspected him of cooperating with the rebels.

He alleged that his home was burned down, forcing him to flee Cameroon before arranging travel to Cyprus with the assistance of one of his clients.

The court rejected the claims, concluding that his account was inconsistent and lacked the level of detail expected from someone describing events they had personally experienced.

Court findings

In its judgment, the court said the applicant’s narrative was “full of gaps, ambiguities and shortcomings” and that he could not provide “the slightest detail or experiential element” about the alleged kidnapping, detention or later pursuit by either side.

The court added that the allegations “fell far short of a complete, coherent, plausible presentation” and said accepting them would amount to “a naive and unreserved acceptance of allegations that lack every shred of plausibility or detail.”