In July 2024, Mongabay reported human rights activists in Cameroon have been repeatedly questioned by authorities. The activists are part of the community organization OnEstEnsemble, who allegedly faced a complaint by the sugar company Sosucam (part of the French headquartered company Somdia) earlier this year.

According to Mongabay, the complaint by Sosucam followed allegations by OnEstEnsemble activists that Sosucam workers experience poor working conditions, alongside allegations of environmental pollution. These allegations were originally published in a Mongabay investigation released in January 2024. The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) invited Sosucam to respond to the allegations at the time, and it’s response can be read here.

Following Mongabay’s January investigation, Sosucam allegedly filed a complaint to the authorities. Since then, members of OnEstEnsemble have faced repeated interrogations by police, with some activists summoned for questioning up to five times. Some of these summonses have not included formal notice. Mongabay also alleges the Police Commissioner surreptitiously admitted Sosucam is “closely connected” with the interrogations and that they began following the complaint made by the company.

In August 2024, BHRRC invited Sosucam to respond to the allegations of police interrogations, and the inclusion of Sosucam's complaint in BHRRC’s database of strategic lawsuits against public participation. In October 2024, BHRRC also invited French headquartered Castel Group, which Sosucam is part of, to disclose the steps it has taken to investigate and remedy the workers for the abuse reported. The Resource Centre also invited Sosucam sugar distributors DOVV and Santa Lucia to confirm whether they still distribute Sosucam sugar, to disclose any human rights due diligence they undertake on their supply chains, and what actions they will undertake in light of the above allegations.

Sosucam and Castel Group's joint response can be read in full below. DOVV and Santa Lucia did not respond.