Ambazonian Activity and 2025 Elections Heighten Cameroon’s Challenges

Key incidents include:

• November 10: Ambazonian forces attacked the residence of the Tubah divisional officer near Bamenda (NW), killing two special forces soldiers.
• November 24: Government forces in Bamenda killed two separatist fighters, including a commander.
• November 29: Ambazonian gunmen carried out a surprise attack, killing a police officer in Bamenda.

Further complicating the crisis, Norway extended the detention of Ambazonian Defence Forces (ADF) leader Ayaba Cho until January 14, 2025. Meanwhile, a Cameroonian official kidnapped in October by Biafra separatists from the Bakassi Peninsula (SW) remains in captivity.

Far North: Jihadist Violence and Flooding

The Far North region faces a dual crisis of escalating jihadist attacks and the aftermath of severe flooding.

• November 10: Boko Haram insurgents burned a gendarmerie post in Tolkomari, Mayo-Sava, killing one civilian and destroying homes.
• November 12: Militants killed nine civilians in Ldamang village, Mokolo commune, and raided nearby areas for food and goods.
• Flooding and Cholera: The region continued to reel from September-October floods affecting 400,000 people. On November 5, the health ministry declared a cholera outbreak in Maroua, the regional capital. A UN visit on November 22 highlighted the urgent humanitarian needs exacerbated by climate disasters.

2025 Presidential Election Speculation

With the October 2025 presidential election approaching, speculation about President Paul Biya's re-election bid intensified.

• November 6: On the anniversary of Biya’s 1982 inauguration, senior ruling party members, including cabinet ministers, publicly endorsed his candidacy, though it remains unconfirmed.
• Opposition Pushback:
  • Opposition leader Maurice Kamto called for the resignation of three Constitutional Council members, including President Clement Atangana, over alleged pro-government bias.
  • Kamto also criticized the electoral body, which on November 27 reinstated 120,000 names to the electoral roll following public backlash.

Security Emergencies Discussed

On November 28, the Defence Minister convened an extraordinary meeting in Yaoundé to address pressing security concerns, including ongoing crises in the Anglophone regions and the Far North.

Outlook

The overlapping crises in Cameroon—Ambazonian violence, jihadist attacks, and political uncertainty—underscore the country's fragile state. With humanitarian needs rising in the Far North and tensions mounting ahead of the 2025 elections, the coming months are critical for stabilizing the nation.