Léopold Maxime Eko Eko

Léopold Maxime Eko Eko
Director General of External Research at the General Directorate of External Research
In office August 2010 – February 1, 2023
Succeeded by	Jean-Pierre Robins Ghoumo
Personal details
Education	Paris-East Créteil University

Léopold Maxime Eko Eko is a Cameroonian politician who served as the director general for external research, the top position in the General Directorate of External Research, Cameroon's intelligence agency, from August 2010 to December 2023. Eko Eko was sacked due to his involvement in the assassination of Martinez Zogo, a Cameroonian radio host.

Biography

Prior to his appointment to the Cameroonian government, Eko Eko served as a police commissioner with a doctorate in information and communication sciences from the Paris-East Créteil University. Eko Eko rose through the ranks of the Cameroonian government through his support of the use of force to suppress dissent.[1] He then served as the director general for external research at the General Delegation for National Security.[1]

Eko Eko was appointed director general for external research at the General Directorate for External Research (DGRE) in August 2010.[1] In 2014, Eko Eko helped kidnap Guerandi Mbara, a Cameroonian general and mastermind of the 1984 Cameroonian coup attempt, from Bulgaria. Mbara was transferred back to Cameroon and disappeared.[1] Eko Eko also commanded Operation Nera 10, which assassinated and targeted the leadership of southern Cameroonian separatist movements in the Anglophone Crisis.[2]

In January 2023, DGRE officers under the orders of Eko Eko assassinated radio broadcaster Martinez Zogo. Zogo was kidnapped and tortured by the DGRE, sparking protests against the Cameroonian officials responsible.[3] Eko Eko's subordinate Justin Danwe was arrested alongside several other officials accused of complicity, and Eko Eko himself was arrested on February 1, 2023.[1][4] He was indicted on March 4.[5][6] On August 21, Eko Eko looked visibly emaciated after being tortured in pre-trial detention.[2] During the trial, Eko Eko spoke about his connection with businessman Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, who masterminded Zogo's assassination.[2]

Monkouop Mouminou was appointed as Eko Eko's temporary successor in February 2023.[1] In December 2023, Jean-Pierre Robins Ghoumo succeeded Eko Eko as Director General of the DGRE.[7]

References

1. "Cameroon: The head of counter‑espionage summoned in the case of Martinez Zogo's death". The Africa Report. February 3, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
2. "Yaoundé: Disgraced Spy Chief Eko Eko interrogated on Martinez Zogo Killing – Cameroon Intelligence Report". 2023-08-22. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
3. "Trial of Murdered Cameroon Journalist Delayed". Voice of America. 2024-03-26. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
4. "Affaire Martinez Zogo : Maxime Eko Eko et Justin Danwe, des intouchables devenus suspects - Jeune Afrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2024-10-21.
5. "CAMEROON : Candidates line up to succeed Director of External Intelligence Maxime Eko Eko - 14/03/2023". Africa Intelligence. 2024-10-21. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
6. Chahali, Evarist. "Cameroon: Former spy chief Maxime Leopold Eko Eko to stand trial on charges of complicity in torture". www.ujasusi.com. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
7. "Cameroon : Handover on hold at DGRE as scores are settled - 22/01/2024". Africa Intelligence. 2024-10-21. Retrieved 2024-10-21.