ANNUAL SUMMARY REPORT ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN THE CONFLICT-AFFECTED REGIONS OF CAMEROON

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

A)            INTRODUCTION

I)        THE CONTEXT

II)      TRENDS IN THE NORTHWEST AND SOUTHWEST REGIONS

III)          METHODOLOGY

IV)          LEGAL FRAMEWORK

B) THE SITUATION OF THE NORTHWEST AND SOUTHWEST REGIONS

I)        PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

II)            VIOLATIONS AND ABUSES IN THE NORTHWEST AND SOUTHWEST REGION

1)       VIOLATION/ABUSE OF THE RIGHT TO LIFE

2) RESPECT FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE PERSON

·          ARBITRARY ARREST AND DETENTION

·          KIDNAPPING

·          ARSON AND PROPERTY DESTRUCTION

·          ATTACKS ON STUDENTS AND INSTITUTIONS

·          TORTURE

C)            ELECTORAL VIOLATIONS OF CAMEROON’S 2025 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

I)        PRE-ELECTION VIOLATIONS

II)            POST-ELECTION VIOLATIONS

D) VIOLATIONS AND ABUSES IN THE FAR NORTH REGION OF CAMEROON

E) CONCLUSION AND COMMENTARY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A)  INTRODUCTION

This report is the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa’s (CHRDA) annual 2025 human rights monitoring report, which comprises the two mid-year human rights reports (covering January-June and July-December 2025). The substantive aspect of the report is related to the ongoing armed conflict in the Northwest and Southwest Regions, human rights violations recorded during the just ended presidential election and the Boko Haram insurgency in the Far North Region.

I)             THE CONTEXT

Human rights violations persist till date in the Northwest, Southwest and Far North Regions. These violations perpetrated by government forces, armed separatist fighters, Boko Haram Insurgency Groups and Armed Fulani Herders continue to claim lives and deprive people of their livelihood. The horrific effects of these human rights violations and abuses affect mostly those in the hinterlands especially those in the Northwest and Southwest Regions.

On one hand, the ongoing Anglophone crisis in Cameroon erupted in October 2016, when lawyers and teachers from the Northwest and Southwest regions went on strike. Their protest was a response to what they perceived as the marginalization of the population, particularly in Common Law Courts and the Anglo-Saxon Education System. The Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium spearheaded the protests, which were met with a brutal and violent response from the Cameroonian government. In 2017, the crisis escalated into a full-blown armed conflict between the Separatist fighters and the State Defense Forces. On the other hand, the Boko Haram insurgency, which originated in Nigeria in 2009, has since spread across the Lake Chad basin countries, including Cameroon. Boko Haram indiscriminately targets civilians using improvised explosive devices, suicide bombings in crowded areas, and lethal weapons, causing immense suffering and destruction. In the first half of 2025, there were reports of human rights abuses perpetrated by the Boko Haram Insurgency Group.

In the first half of the year 2025, CHRDA recorded significant human rights violations and abuses committed in the conflict-affected regions of Cameroon by state defense and security forces, non-state armed groups and the authorities. These violations include; arbitrary killings, torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, delayed litigations, kidnappings and ransoms, destruction of property, and restrictions on the right to free movement. The conflict-stricken Northwest, Southwest and Far North Regions of Cameroon are facing serious human rights violations and abuses. The increase in the violations and abuses stem from violent conflicts resulting to insecurity, and administrative lapses in the regions. In the first half of 2025 (January-June), CHRDA documented the most human rights violations, with April witnessing the highest recorded number. Although the exact reason for this surge in human rights violations during the first quarter of 2025 remains unclear, previous reports suggest that most violations occur on national days such as Cameroon

Youth Day (February 11), International Women’s Day (March 8), the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, and National Unity Day (May 20). This is because separatist fighters have repeatedly called for ghost towns, and civilians who attempt to participate in these celebrations are either killed, kidnapped, or their properties destroyed. Transitioning into the second half of the year (July-December), the human rights violations documented slightly reduced with September recording the highest number of killings. One explanation for this is the school-resumption "lockdown" campaigns spearheaded by separatist and events leading to 1st October and the 2025 presidential election.

II)           TRENDS IN THE NORTHWEST AND SOUTHWEST REGIONS

CHRDA recorded numerous kidnapping and ransom incidents, with these incidents experiencing a surge in May like the case of a student in Bambili town in Bamenda who was kidnapped by separatist fighters. They demanded a ransom of 10 million Franc CFA for his release. Based on incidents CHRDA documented, separatist fighters have committed the most killings, with a record number of 55 incidents, representing the single largest source of deaths. These killing incidents predominantly target teachers and education workers, students and pupils, religious leaders, and businessmen. A spike in these killings was noticed around exam periods, the school-resumption “lockdown” campaigns, and elections. Additionally, extrajudicial killings by defense and security forces (DSF) have occurred with over 46 incidents, including several raids and ambushes resulting in multiple civilian casualties (Pinyin in February and May, Ntsualam in April).

We also, witnessed an increase in attacks on education involving of non-lethal assaults on schools/pupils, and forced closures. We documented several incidents of torture most notably the case of a male teacher in Ashar-Nkor in Bui Division who was tortured and injured by NSAG after extorting money and other valuables from him.

Also, we documented an incident of destruction of property linked to the burning of St Peter Calvary Catholic Primary School in Muyuka.

III)        METHODOLOGY

The methodology adopted by CHRDA in writing this report includes; field monitoring through our staff and focal point persons in various localities in the conflict-affected regions; making use of observations in courts and conflict trends; and analyzed comments and reports from the national and international stakeholders and media reports. We also carried out interviews with victims, eyewitnesses and stakeholders. We used digital tools, including but not limited to the CHRDA’s Android application (Community Reporter), Social media and other digital tools to collect and analyze our data.

IV)        LEGAL FRAMEWORK

The Cameroon Constitution of 1996 (as amended in 2008), the Cameroon Penal Code of 2016 and the Cameroon Criminal Procedure Code of 2005 were analyzed in this report. We also referred to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). The 1996 Constitution of Cameroon by virtue of its article 45 provides that “Duly approved or ratified treaties and international agreements shall, following the publication, override national laws, provided the other party implements the said treaty or agreement.” Below are some of the ratified laws which we analyzed while documenting this report.

·       African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ratification on June 20, 1989)

·       Convention against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT; ratification on December 19, 1986)

·       Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW; ratification on August 23, 1994)

·       Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity (accession on October 6, 1972)

·       Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC; ratification on January 11, 1993) and its Optional Protocol (ratification on February 4, 2013)

·       International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR; ratification on June 27, 1984)

·       International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR; ratification on June 27, 1984)

B) THE SITUATION OF THE NORTHWEST AND SOUTHWEST REGIONS

We recorded significant human rights violations and abuses in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon. The horrific and large-scale violations were perpetrated by the Defense and Security Forces (DSF) and Separatist  fighters.

I)             PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

On Thursday 4 September 2025, Bello Bouba Maigari, Chairman of the National Union for Democracy and Progress (NUDP), was stopped from holding a political meeting in Limbe I, Fako Division, and Southwest Region. Before the event began, security forces, including riot police, blocked access to the hall and dispersed participants. The order came from the Sub-Prefect of Limbe I without prior written notice. This constitutes a violation of the Right to Freedom of Assembly and the Right to Political Participation, as provided for under Articles 21 and 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Articles 10 and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

II)          VIOLATIONS AND ABUSES IN THE NORTHWEST AND SOUTHWEST REGION

1)   VIOLATION/ABUSE OF THE RIGHT TO LIFE

International law recognizes the right to life as fundamental human right considered and must be protected irrespective of the situation. Article 3 of the Universal declaration of Human Rights protects this right by echoing the fact that: everyone has a right to life. In addition, the Cameroonian Constitution guarantees the right to life and security of the person in its preamble, stating, “every person has a right to life, to physical and moral integrity.” Also, articles 4 and 6 of the African Charter, and Articles 6 and 9 of the ICCPR protect the right to life. Despite this broad protection provided for by the above pieces of international law this right remains the most violated in our report.

 

The right to life was violated and abused through targeted and indiscriminate killings and extrajudicial killings. In the first half of the year 2025, there was an increase in violations and abuses of the right to life by the state defense and security forces and non-state armed groups in the Northwest and Southwest Regions. We recorded as high as at least 101 deaths resulting from the use of lethal weapons against the state military, non-state fighters, and civilians.

 

Among other gruesome incidents of indiscriminate and targeted killings was the killing of a pastor in Bonjanga, Ekondo Titi by Separatist Fighters and the killing of six unarmed civilians in Pinyin, Bamenda on February 23, 2025. This attack was carried out as part of a planned military raid on a popular drinking spot, that resulted in indiscriminate shooting at the occupants who were alleged separatist fighters.[1] It was reported that this spot was often used by separatist fighters. An eyewitness who reported to Mimimefo media platform said, “we heard gunshots at about 7:30pm from the bar and ran into the nearby bush for safety. When we return, we saw five people lying dead, we traced the blood stain to another person who despite being shot tried escaping”. Another eyewitness revealed that amongst the six killed was a mentally unstable man from Ndapang neighborhood and some twin brothers Muluh Promise and Nji from Konfune. The village of Pinyin has suffered heavily in both human and material loss since the crisis began.

 

On Sunday March 17, 2025, CHRDA recorded the murder of Mr. Kogge Blaise Dewah in Ekona, Southwest region, by Separatist fighters. Armed separatist fighters accused the victim of being a “blackleg”, he was killed because the armed separatist fighters believe he was the one that showed commander “Luther” to the police.

Another incident violating the right to life is the murder of Ndzikem Carine at Ntabessi Junction. She was killed by a stray bullet in a crossfire between the military and NSAG. Separatist fighters attacked a security post at the junction and DSF fired back.  Carine who sold vegetable is one of the many victims that have been killed in such exchange since the crisis began. This particular security post has been the target of separatist fighters.

 

On Monday January 27, 2025, in Ntamulung a neighborhood in Bamenda of the Northwest region of Cameroon, DSF in a military raid arrested many people which led to the subsequent dead of a man whose identity remained unknown. According to residents of the neighborhood, he was taken away by government forces to an undisclosed destination and days later his lifeless body was found at mile 6, Nkwen, Bamenda. The inhabitants of that locality said they must have tortured him and execute him during his time in their custody.

 

On Wednesday May 13, 2025, in Pinyin village a neighborhood in Santa Subdivision of the Northwest Region of Cameroon, DSF attacked the Ndapang market with gunshots leaving 5 individuals dead. One of the residents explained that it was common in the area for separatist fighters to make check points on market days and collect money from traders and road users and this information may have drawn the attention of the security forces in the area leading to the attack. The individuals killed have been identified as a bike rider, a mentally deranged man, a trader known as Ta’a and two separatist fighters.

 

These killings are a clear violation of International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. They sharply contrast with Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which affirms that every human being has the inherent right to life and that this right must be protected by law. No one should be arbitrarily deprived of their life. The indiscriminate and extrajudicial killing of civilians is a direct violation of international humanitarian law principles. Article 48 (basic rule) of Protocol I to the Four Geneva Convention states that: the Parties to a conflict must always distinguish between the civilian population and combatants, and between civilian objects and military objectives. They must direct their operations only against military objectives. Therefore, most of the victims who were killed were not actively participating in hostilities against the conflicting parties and did not constitute lawful targets.

 

FACTSHEET:

 

 

 

 

2) RESPECT FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE PERSON

·      ARBITRARY ARREST AND DETENTION

In addition to the violation of the right to life, arbitrary arrest and detention run contrary to the provisions of Cameroon’s Constitution and international human rights laws. Building on the above, article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 states that: ‘No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exiled.’ Furthermore, article 10 stipulates that ‘Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.’ Article 6 of the African Charter provides that “Every individual shall have the right to liberty and to the security of his person. No one may be deprived of his freedom except for reasons and conditions previously laid down by law. In particular, no one may be arbitrarily arrested and detained.” Article 9(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states that “Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedures as are established by law.” From the forgoing, Cameroonian authorities are bound to respect people’s rights to security, freedom and fair trial.

In the year 2025, CHRDA recorded close to 2 cases of arbitrary arrest and detention in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of the country, with one prisoner dying three months after his release from prison. Tata Lionel, the deceased, a resident of Kumbo, had been detained in Kondengui Prison for three years on charges of being a separatist fighter. However, it was later revealed that he was a victim of separatist violence. He had a bandage wound and no identification documents with him when he was intercepted by the police. Consequently, he was mistaken for a separatist fighter and incarcerated at Kondengui Prison in Yaoundé. Upon his release, he appeared unwell, highlighting the poor health conditions in detention centers.

These numbers could be high as we believe many cases were unrecorded or unreported. The population of the North-West and South-West Regions have been witnessing violations of the right to fair trial daily. Some of the survivors have been released, while some are still in detention. We have been carrying out advocacy and providing pro bono legal services to some of the victims of arbitrary arrest and detention.

These violations have witnessed an increase because of delays in the production of civil documents such as identification cards and birth certificates, an increase in security checkpoints and illegal activities of some law enforcement officials in the regions. It is worth noting that without proper identification especially for males in Cameroon and especially in the North-West and South-West Regions, there is a high risk of arbitrary detention, and this has been systematic. Some allegations of belonging to or relating to or being a family member of or promoting or actively participating in the ‘Ambazonia’ activities have also been the gateway for arbitrary arrest and detention.

Another cased of arbitrary arrest and detention is the arrest of a retired civil servant Mr. Ndah Oliver, who died on March 22, 2025, after spending two months in the Bamenda Central Prison in an ordeal involving threats, wrongful detention, and alleged medical neglect. Mr. Ndah Oliver received a phone call on January 15, 2025, and was later arrested without charges on January 22, 2025. Despite his health deteriorating, all requests for bail were denied and he was instead transferred to Bamenda to await military tribunal proceedings on charges of collaborating with separatist fighters though his family refuted such allegations. Later a controversial decision was made to transfer Mr. Ndah Oliver back to Wum where he was arrested and a sick bail was granted. This came late as he died on the way to seek medical attention at the Bamenda Regional Hospital.

A similarity between the two cases of arbitrary arrested and detention is that they were more on mere suspicion by the state force that victims could be collaborating with armed separatists.

·      KIDNAPPING

Separatist fighters have continued to use kidnapping as a weapon of war and largely against those they term “black legs” (persons who do not adhere to their ideology and instructions) since the ongoing armed conflict began in 2016. Previously, they regularly kidnapped mostly businesspersons and government officials for ransom taking. Recently, they have expanded their kidnapping activity to now include pupils, students, teachers and religious leaders. There was an increase of kidnapping cases in the first half of the year 2025, with the most kidnappings experienced in May and the numbers slowly reduced as the year went on.

Separatist fighters carried out a series of kidnaps against people who were not in support or violate their rules and regulations like the non-respect of ghost towns and lockdowns, participation in banned activities like the 11th of February and the commemoration of other national and international days. Some of the victims paid a ransom before they were released, some were killed while in captivity, some were freed and some are still in captivity at the time of this report.

Some of the kidnapping cases documented by CHRDA include:

On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at about 5:00pm, in Bambui town along the Bamenda-Bambili road, in Bamenda, Northwest Region of Cameroon, separatist fighters kidnapped a female university student on her way home from the Bamenda University campus along the tertiary road that led to the NSAG hideouts. The reason for the kidnap remained unknown.

On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at about 5:00pm, in Ntamuche quarter, Nkwen Bamenda, in the Northwest region of Cameroon, armed men alleged to be separatist fighters armed with rifles and on motorbikes, kidnapped a male university lecturer at his residence for reasons yet to be known.

On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at about 10:00am, in Batibo, in Momo Division of the Northwest region of Cameroon, separatist fighters equipped with firearms entered a secondary school and kidnapped the principal. According to locals of the area, the NSAG accused him of not supporting their operations and a ransom of one million francs CFA was demanded for his release.

On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in Bessi village in Batibo Subdivision in Momo Division of the Northwest region of Cameroon, separatist fighters kidnapped two students along the main road on their way to school. The separatist fighters accused the students of wearing their uniforms despite several warnings.  A ransom was demanded from their families for their release.

On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, in Mulang in the Bamenda 2 subdivision, the parish priest of Catholic Church Mulang was kidnapped by alleged separatist fighters. The parish priest Rev. Father Emmanuel Miyanwe was carried away just in front of his church to an unknown destination and the reason for his kidnapped was not disclose.  He was later released after spending closed to a whole day with his kidnappers.

 

·      ARSON AND PROPERTY DESTRUCTION

CHRDA recorded one arson and property destruction. In the evening of Wednesday, August 20, 2025, in Muyuka a village in the Southwest region of Cameroon, armed separatist fighters’ burn down St Peter Cavalry Catholic Primary School in Muyuka.

 

·      ATTACKS ON STUDENTS AND INSTITUTIONS

CHRDA recorded several human rights incidents involving the attack against students and schools in the North-West and South-West Regions. Schools are protected sites and not military targets during armed conflicts. The attacks recorded by CHRDA were perpetrated by the Separatist fighters. The Separatist fighters targeted, kidnapped and threatened students and lecturers in the conflict-affected regions.

On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at about 3:00pm, in Ngarum village, Donga-Mantung Division in the Northwest region of Cameroon, suspected separatist fighters kidnapped and extorted 300,000frs from a man who was a victim because he lied being a government schoolteacher.

On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at about 7:00am, in Bonatou village, Momo division of the Northwest Region of Cameroon, separatist fighters assaulted and injured two male pupils from a public primary school on their way to school. The reason for the kidnap was because the NSAG had prohibited anyone from attending that school.

In the evening of Friday May 2, 2025, at about 5pm in Bambili town in Bamenda of the Northwest Region of Cameroon, armed fighters armed with rifles kidnapped a male university student at his private residence. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of 10 million Franc CFA for his release

In the evening of Sunday May 4, at about 8:00pm in Bambili town Mezam Division of the Northwest Region of Cameroon, Armed Separatist fighters armed with rifles abducted three male university students from their private residences under unclear circumstances.

·      TORTURE

Article 1 of the International Convention Against Torture defines torture as any act intentionally inflicting severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, on a person for specific purposes. These purposes include obtaining information or a confession from the person or a third party, punishing them for an act they or a third party have committed or are suspected of having committed, intimidating or coercing them or a third party, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind. The torture must be inflicted by or at the instigation of a public official or another person acting in an official capacity, or with their consent or acquiescence. The above definition limits torture to acts perpetrated by state officials to the exclusion of others. However, the case of torture documented by CHRDA was carried out by separatist fighters, and Common Article 3 of the Fourth Geneva Convention adequately captures this case by including in its scope acts of cruel treatment and torture by warring parties in a non-international armed conflict. At the national level, the Cameroon Penal Code of 2016, in Section 277(3), specifically punishes torture. Additionally, CHRDA has documented one case of torture.

On Saturday, January 11, 2025, at about 10:00pm, in Asha-Nkor Village in Bui Division, Bamenda in the Northwest region of Cameroon, NSAG tortured and injured a male teacher whose identity remained unknown after extorting money and other valuables from him

C)            ELECTORAL VIOLATIONS OF CAMEROON’S 2025 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

 

I)             PRE-ELECTION VIOLATIONS

On Saturday June 7 2025, Maurice Kamto the head of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) party and a candidate of the 2025 elections, arrived in Douala from Paris and immediately after his arrival, he was blocked in his residence in Bonapriso by a large presence of police and gendarmes. He was supposed to visit the MRC headquarters in Deïdo to engage with his party officials and supporters but was prevented from doing so. Police and gendarmes set up blockades around both Kamto’s residence and the CRM office.  Security forces were deployed in key areas of Douala including around Deïdo and Bonapriso. Moto-taxis were banned, and several streets were controlled by the authorities. Many supporters of Maurice Kamto came out to welcome him and headed towards the MRC headquarters. Many chanted demanding Kamto’s freedom and threatening to maintain a vigil until he was released. Some of them even tried to breach the police cordon.  However, no major clashes were reported. Later that day, Maurice Kamto made a short video lasting close to 6 minutes from inside his house. In the video, he said he was being held against his will at his lodging in Bonapriso, Douala. He explained that, when he attempted to leave to meet with his collaborators in Douala, he was informed that the area around which he was residing was under high surveillance and he could not access the MRC headquarters.

On June 9, Maurice Kamto was still blocked in his residence. He could not meet with his team or hold any public events. Around midday, he was taken out of his house and escorted by a convoy of police and gendarmes back to Yaoundé. The MRC office in Deïdo remained blocked. On Tuesday June 10, Maurice Kamto released a statement where he thanked the people of Douala for their discipline and support. He criticized the police for preventing him from carrying out his political activities and for seizing the bikes of moto-taxi riders who tried to help him. This incident constitutes a violation of the Right to Freedom of Movement, the Right to Freedom of Assembly, and the Right to Political Participation as protected under the Preamble of the 1996 Constitution; Articles 12, 21, and 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and Articles 10 and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

On Wednesday June 8, 2025, the Centre Regional Headquarters of the Social Democratic Front (SDF) in Oledzoa, Yaoundé, Centre Region was demolished reportedly on the orders of a senior officer of the National Gendarmerie. The demolition occurred just three months before the presidential election. The SDF denounced the act as political intimidation, calling it a violation of constitutional freedoms. The party stated that its legal team is pursuing accountability and justice. This incident constitutes a violation of the Right to Freedom of Association, the Right to Political Participation, and the Right to Protection of Property as provided for in Articles 22 and 25 of the international covenants on civil and political rights (ICCPR), and Articles 10, 13, and 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

On Thursday 31 July 2025, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, former Minister of Employment and Vocational Training and a declared presidential candidate, was prevented from boarding a flight to Dakar, Senegal at the Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport in the Centre Region. He intended to visit the grave of former President Ahmadou Ahidjo accompanied by his daughter. Airport authorities informed him that the order came from ‘above.’ A commissioner specifically informed him that he was acting on the firm instructions from the Presidency of the Republic. No written notification or legal justification was provided.

On Wednesday 3 September 2025, a rally organized by a faction of the Union of the Peoples of Cameroon (UPC) led by Sam Mbaka, Djeukam Tchameni, and Anicet Ekane in Yaoundé V Subdivision, Centre Region, was prohibited. The group had issued a manifesto on 1 September 2025 inviting opposition parties and civil society to form a coalition ahead of the presidential election. The rally was scheduled at the Omnisports Stadium Esplanade, but the Sub-Divisional Officer of Yaoundé 5(V) refused authorization shortly before the event. Security forces were deployed to prevent the gathering. This constitutes a violation of the Right to Freedom of Assembly and the Right to Political Participation as guaranteed under Articles 21 and 25 of the international Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Articles 10 and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

On Thursday 4 September 2025, Bello Bouba Maigari, Chairman of the National Union for Democracy and Progress (NUDP), was stopped from holding a political meeting in Limbe I, Fako Division, and Southwest Region. Before the event began, security forces, including riot police, blocked access to the hall and dispersed participants. The order came from the Sub-Prefect of Limbe I without prior written notice. This constitutes a violation of the Right to Freedom of Assembly and the Right to Political Participation, as provided for under Articles 21 and 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Articles 10 and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. 

II)          POST-ELECTION VIOLATIONS

Since Sunday, October 26, 2026, on the eve of the official announcement of the presidential election results, anger has been spreading across several major cities in the country. From Douala to Yaoundé, and from Bafoussam to Bamenda and Garoua, thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets demanding truth from the ballot box.

Several people have already lost their lives, struck by bullets during clashes with security forces.

On Monday October 27, 2025, in Douala, litoral Region of Cameroon, DSF shot and killed a man called Sanje Claude Lilinu, another innocent Cameroonian Killed in Post-Election violation. According to local news, Sanje was “shot by the Cameroon military and later found dumped in a mortuary.” Sanje’s death adds to the growing list of civilians killed by security forces amid the post-election protests following the October 12 presidential election. Human rights observers estimate that at least 50 people have been killed since the unrest began.

On Monday October 27, 2025, in New Bell, a neighborhood in Douala 2nd district of the Littoral region in Cameroon, four civilians were killed, including a young man who was reportedly watching a football match in a bar were shot and killed by soldiers during a protest in New Bell, the protests came after Cameroonians took to the streets to refused what they called a “stolen victory” in the October 12 presidential election. Civilians urged the Constitutional Council to “respect the will of the people” during the official proclamation of results.

On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, in Bilongue a neighborhood in Douala 3rd district of the Littoral region in Cameroon, a man was shot and killed by Cameroon defense and security force. According to police sources, the victim had stepped out of his home to get food when he encountered uniformed officers. He reportedly told them, “Do your job well,” a remark that allegedly angered an officer, who then shot him at close range. The scene caused panic and outrage in the neighborhood, already on edge for several days.

On Monday, December 1, 2025, in Yaoundé, Central Region of Cameroon, a politician and an opposition leader called Anicet Ekane died in detention due to the denial of medical care. Anicet Ekane a 74-year-old opposition politician and leader of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM) was detained following his arrest on 24, October 2025 amid post-election violation. He was held by security forces at a detention facility in Yaoundé and died in custody on 1, December 2025 under circumstances that sparked accusations of inadequate medical care and neglect. His death provoked national shock and intensified concerns about repression of political opponents.

On Monday, October 27, 2025, Marouaré, in Bénoué Division, Garoua 2 Subdivision, of the North Region of Cameroon, a private school was set ablaze amidst the post-election violation in North region. The set school belongs to Ousmanou Aman Sa’aly popularly known as Yerima Dewa, mayor of the commune and national president of the All-Cameroon Congress (ACC) party. According to local news it was alleged that the fire had come from Yerima Dewa’s residence, supposedly targeting the nearby home of presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary.

On November 3, 2025, in Banyo, Adamawa Region of Cameroon, angry protesters burned down the resident of Mustapha Labaran. During protest and the lock imposed by opposition leader, Mustapha Labaran, a prominent leader of the ruling party and the younger brother to Mohamadou Mustapha, the deputy secretary of the presidency was set ablaze by angry protesters because the S.D.O wanted to seal the shop of his citizen who didn’t open in Banyo.

Protesters set ablaze the CPDM party house in Dschang and burn down the CPDM headquarters in Melong, Mokolo in the far North region of Cameroon, Banyo in the Adamawa region of Cameroon because of the October 12,2025 presidential election. The angry protesters took to the street after learning the result of the election favored the president of the republic.

D) VIOLATIONS AND ABUSES IN THE FAR NORTH REGION OF CAMEROON

CHRDA recorded one killing incident perpetrated by Boko Haram in the Far North Region of Cameroon. On Friday, November 14, 2025, in Dabanga­-Gassama road in the Far North region, armed men alleged to be from the Boko-haram insurgence attacked a bus and shot the driver. The driver Bichara Mihimit who tried speeding up to escape with the passengers was shot dead and the passengers were abducted. Meanwhile, on Thursday, November 20, 2025, the village of Chaloba, in the Waza district, the six people kidnapped were released safe and sound after several days of captivity at the hands of the alleged Boko-haram members.

E) CONCLUSION AND COMMENTARY

The year 2025 witnessed several human rights violations/abuses in the conflict-affected regions of Cameroon. Although the number of killings dropped from 116 in 2024 to 101 in 2025, the human rights situation in these regions remains volatile. This, in addition to other gross human rights violations, warrants that all warring parties find a peaceful solution to this crisis. The severity of this conflict raises humanitarian concerns, and as the days go by, these needs are further exacerbated when combined with the impact of climate-related events, such as floods and droughts. All these challenges affect people’s long-term recovery and livelihoods. CHRDA re-echoes its long-standing position that the warring parties in the North-West and South-West Regions of Cameroon should initiate a truthful and sincere mediated dialogue to resolve the ongoing armed conflict. We also recommend that the government forces and separatist fighters should show restraint and desist from committing human rights violations and abuses, especially the perpetration of attacks against civilians and their properties. We encourage the Cameroon government to increase security measures in the Far-North Regions to protect civilians and their properties from the Boko Haram attacks in the region.

 

 

 

[1]https://mimimefoinfos.com/five-unarmed-civilians-killed-two-wounded-in-military-raid-in-pinyin/