Jean-Pierre Robins Ghoumo

Ghoumo was born in the Nkong-Ni subdivision of Menoua Department, West Region, Cameroon.^[1][2] He graduated from the Institute of International Relations of Cameroon specializing in diplomacy between 2000 and 2003.^[2] Ghoumo served in various positions within the Cameroonian government, starting as a secretary to Cameroonian Secretary General Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh and later as an advisor to the internal affairs division of the Cameroonian general secretariat.^[2]

By 2023, Ghoumo was the Deputy Director General of External Research at the General Directorate of External Research, Cameroon's intelligence agency. His boss, Leopold Maxime Eko Eko, was implicated in the assassination of Martinez Zogo, a radio broadcaster.^[3] Eko Eko was sacked from his position and replaced by Ghoumo on December 21, 2023, although Cameroonian officials prevented Ghoumo from accessing documents and materials that Eko Eko had access to.^[4] Cameroonian authorities believed that Ghoumo was loyal to Eko Eko instead of Ngoh Ngoh, who is widely considered to be running Cameroonian affairs.^[5]

Ghoumo was fired as director general on February 20, 2023, a month after his appointment, due to perceived loyalties to Eko Eko and falling short of his expectations in carrying out investigations.^[5] Four days before his dismissal, Ghoumo fired James Elong Lobe for corruption, and Lobe was loyal to Ngoh Ngoh.^[6]