Cameroon is beset with two major violent conflicts but also faces rising ethno-political tensions on- and offline. The bigger conflict, between the government and separatists from the English-speaking minority, started in 2017 and has killed over 6,000 people. It has displaced 765,000 people, of whom over 70,000 are refugees in Nigeria. According to the UN, 2.2 million of the Anglophone regions’ four million people need humanitarian support while about 600,000 children have been deprived of effective schooling because of the conflict. The country also faces a reinvigorated jihadist insurgency with deadly attacks in the Lake Chad area. The war with Boko Haram, centred in the Far North, has killed over 3,000 Cameroonians, displaced about 250,000 and triggered the rise of vigilante self-defence groups. Nascent ethnic clashes along the border with Chad have displaced thousands too. Elsewhere, and particularly following the October 2018 presidential election, ethnic discourse is heightening political tensions on- and offline. Through field research and advocacy with the government as well as with national and international stakeholders, Crisis Group works to de-escalate conflict and promote a peaceful resolution in the Anglophone regions and the Far North as well as to stop ethno-political tensions from sliding into violence.
Disputes over water in the northern tip of Cameroon turned deadly in 2021, taking on a troubling ethnic dimension. The authorities have striven to contain the fighting, but to be sure of preventing a recurrence, they need to address the conflict at its roots.
Violence continued in Anglophone and Far North regions, while also flaring in previously calm North region; restrictions on critics continued ahead of 2025 election.
Amid Anglophone separatist-related violence, UN rights chief urged dialogue. In Anglophone regions, Ambazonia rebels 7-9 Aug killed four police officers and one civilian in Bamenda town (North West, NW); military retaliation left at least one commercial motorbike rider dead. Suspected rebels 15 Aug burned five taxis in Bamenda. Roadside bombs 16-17 Aug exploded in Jakiri town (NW), killing one police officer. Rebels 24 Aug killed three police officers in Buea city (South West, SW) while military same day killed separatist fighter in Bambui township (NW). Anglophone rebels plan two-week lockdown around 9 Sept school resumption. UN human rights chief Volker Türk 5-7 Aug met with PM Ngute and key ministers, denouncing both separatist and army violations and lack of accountability, urged improved humanitarian access and dialogue; separatists criticised Türk for not visiting Anglophone regions.
Jihadist-related insecurity continued in Far North. In Mayo-Sava department, soldiers 16 Aug killed suspected jihadist in Kolofata town while Boko Haram 22 Aug killed four civilians in Kerawa town; insurgents carried out raids to steal food, cattle and motorbikes in department throughout month. Militants 28 Aug reportedly killed seven special forces soldiers around Djibrilli locality, Mozogo commune, Mayo Tsanaga division, burning three patrol vehicles.
Violence flared in North region. Bandits 20 Aug kidnapped seven farmers in Touboro commune along Central African Republic border but abandoned them after meeting military patrol; some eight others kidnapped in area in Aug.
Political climate remained tense ahead of 2025 presidential election. Regulator early Aug banned two debate programs on private Équinoxe Télévision. Lawyer of social media activist Ramon Cotta 21 Aug confirmed client held by gendarmes in capital Yaoundé, following alleged late July extradition from Gabon. Meanwhile, apparent public calls by supporters endorsing President Biya in cities of Buea and Mamfe (both SW) 13 and 17 Aug respectively and Mokolo (Far North) 28 Aug suggested plans for his candidacy for 2025 poll. Electoral commission reported 7.9mn registered, under half of total eligible, ahead of 31 Aug registration deadline.
The authorities [in Cameroon] should persecute those who are responsible for crimes and include women in the peace process.
This edition includes entries on Cameroon, South Sudan, Venezuela and Western Sahara, offering a snapshot into emergent conflicts and crises in the next three to six months in a clear, accessible format, identifying triggers, key dates to watch and potential behaviour of conflict actors, to support global conflict prevention efforts.
In 2019, Cameroon’s government acknowledged the Anglophone regions’ distinct identity by giving them Special Status. Yet this legal framework has not quelled the separatist rebellion. Would reforming it bring the parties closer to a settlement? The question is worth investigating.
Pre-talks between Cameroon’s government and Anglophone separatists, facilitated by Canada, have opened the door to a long-overdue peace process, but Yaoundé has baulked. The government should embrace these talks, while domestic and external actors should put their full weight behind the initiative.
Since 2017, fighting between separatist insurgents and the military has disrupted the education of over 700,000 children in Cameroon’s two Anglophone regions. As the school year starts in September, education in the conflict-affected regions is at risk again. The two sides should strive to protect schools from being attacked and keep classrooms open.
As anglophone separatists continue their conflict with the government, women’s voices must be heard to find a solution.
In this virtual roundtable, Crisis Group's Cameroon Senior Analyst and invited experts discuss the current situation in the Anglophone regions and the role of women in setting the foundations of future peace.
Years of fighting between separatists and the state in Cameroon have hit women hard, uprooting hundreds of thousands. The government and external partners should step up aid for the displaced. Donors should start planning now for including women activists in future peace talks.
Cameroon will shortly begin hosting the biggest Africa Cup of Nations in history. Eight games will be held in Anglophone regions riven since 2016 by conflict between the government and separatists. Internal and external actors should seize the opportunity to broker a football truce.
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