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Cameroon in Crisis: Conflict and Challenges Ahead of 2025 Elections
YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon, Jan. 13, 2025 — Violence in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions and Far North continues unabated as government forces clash with separatists and jihadists, compounding fears of instability ahead of the country’s 2025 presidential elections.

Meanwhile, authorities have tightened their grip on civil society and NGOs, raising concerns about democratic freedoms.
Escalation in Anglophone Regions
The conflict between government forces and Anglophone separatists showed no signs of abating in December. In the Northwest (NW) region, suspected rebels on Dec. 6 ambushed a military patrol in Bamenda, leaving four soldiers dead. Roadside bomb attacks on two army vehicles in Bafut, also in the NW, resulted in yet-to-be-determined casualties.
In the Southwest (SW) region, clashes extended to the remote Bakassi peninsula. Nigerian Biafra separatists reportedly engaged Cameroonian forces on Dec. 4, 8, and 11, although casualty reports remain unverified due to the area's isolation. The fate of a Cameroonian official kidnapped by suspected Nigerian gunmen in Idabato in October 2024 remains unknown. The Ambazonia Governing Council, representing Anglophone separatists, reinforced its ties with Nigerian Biafra rebels during a late-November conference in Finland, extending a pact first established in 2023.
Civil society groups have sought international attention to the crisis. On Dec. 5, local media reported that the Pan African Forum NGO had filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court, urging an investigation into alleged crimes in the Anglophone regions. President Paul Biya called for separatist fighters to surrender during a year-end address on Dec. 31, but the insurgency’s intensity persists.
Boko Haram and Criminal Violence in the North
In Cameroon’s Far North region, Boko Haram insurgents continued their deadly campaign. On Dec. 1, militants killed a soldier in Mayo-Sava division. The group also escalated kidnappings, seizing at least 12 civilians in Kolofata between Dec. 2 and Dec. 11 and abducting two farmers on Dec. 20. A Dec. 18 attack on a military base in Darak left five soldiers injured and ten assailants dead.
Criminal violence in the North region further added to insecurity. On Dec. 15, suspected poachers killed a Cuban sports hunter in Mayo-Rey division, highlighting challenges to law enforcement in the area.
Civil Society Under Pressure Amid Health Concerns Over Biya
Authorities took steps to restrict civil society and political activity as speculation mounts over President Biya’s health and potential candidacy in 2025. On Dec. 6, the Ministry of Territorial Administration suspended five NGOs, citing alleged misuse of international funding. Days later, prominent human rights lawyer and Biya critic Alice Nkom was summoned for a hearing in Douala, sparking condemnation from rights groups who viewed the moves as attempts to stifle dissent.
The ministry further instructed regional governors on Dec. 19 to closely monitor political parties and NGOs throughout the election year. The influential Archbishop of Douala raised eyebrows on Dec. 25 by questioning the feasibility of Biya’s candidacy, citing his advanced age and health issues. Biya, who has ruled since 1982, suggested on Dec. 31 that he may seek another term, despite growing skepticism.
Looking Ahead
As Cameroon approaches a critical election year, escalating violence and crackdowns on civil society underscore deepening divisions. The government’s handling of security and governance challenges will shape not only the election’s credibility but also the country’s future stability.
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