September 30, 2026
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PRE AND POST-ELECTION HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN CAMEROON – 2025
PRE AND POST-ELECTION HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN CAMEROON – 2025
This report documents incident of Human Rights violations committed in the context of the pre-election period in Cameroon ahead of the October 2025 Presidential Election and post-election violations. The violations recorded involve restrictions on civil and political rights, particularly the rights to freedom of movement, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, freedom of political participation, lockdown, destruction of properties, illegal arrest and detention.
A. PRE-ELECTION VIOLATIONS
I. INCIDENTS IMPLICATING DEFENSE AND SECURITY FORCES
A. Restriction of Movement and Freedom of Assembly
i. Maurice Kamto Held Under De Facto House Arrest and Prevented From Meeting Supporters.
On Saturday June 7, 2025, Maurice Kamto the head of the Cameroon Rainassance Movement (CRM) party and a candidate of the 2025 elections, arrived in Douala from Paris and immediately and was blocked at 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.[1]
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 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.[2] 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.
B. Demolition of Opposition Party Headquarters.
i. Social Democratic Front (SDF) Headquarter Demolished in Yaoundé.
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.[3] 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 Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and Articles 10, 13, and 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
C. Restriction of Freedom of Movement Abroad. i. Issa Tchiroma Bakary Barred From Travelling Abroad.
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[4]. 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[5]. No written notification or legal justification was provided.
D. Prohibition of Political Rallies and Meetings i. Union of the Peoples of Cameroon (UPC) Rally Blocked in Yaounde
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.[6] 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.
ii. National Union for Democracy and Progress (NUDP) Chairman prohibited from holding a meeting in Limbe.
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, South West 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.[7] 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.
CHART: PRE-ELECTION HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN CAMEROON, 2025
|
POST ELECTION VIOLATIONS IN CAMEROON
B. POST-ELECTION VIOLATIONS
I. INCIDENTS IMPLICATING DEFENSE AND SECURITY FORCES
i. Killing of civilians
On Sunday, October 26, 2025, on the eve of the official announcement of the presidential election results, anger from citizens had spread across several major cities in the country. From Douala to Yaoundé, and from Bafoussam to Bamenda and Garoua, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets demanding truth from the ballot box.
Several people have already lost their lives, struck by bullets during clashes with security forces.[8]
ii. DSF killed Sanje Claude Lilinu in Douala
On Monday October 27, 2025 in Douala, Littoral Region of Cameroon, DSF shot and killed a man called Sanje Claude Lilinu. 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.
iii. Killing of civilians in New Bell
On Monday October 27, 2025, in New Bell, a neighborhood in Douala 2nd district of the Littoral region of Cameroon, four civilians were killed, including a young man who was reportedly watching a football match in a bar was 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.[9]
iv. DSF killed a man in Bilongue
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 repeatedly 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 neighbourhood, already on edge for several days.[10]
II. ILLEGAL ARREST AND DETENTION
i. Arrest and death of Anicet Ekane in Custody
On Monday, December 1, 2025 in Yaounde, 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 October 24, 2025 amid post-election violation. He was held by security forces at a detention facility in Yaoundé and died in custody on December 1, 2025 under circumstances that sparked accusations of inadequate medical care and neglect.[11] His death provoked national shock and intensified concerns about repression of political opponents.
III. DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTIES
i. Private school set ablaze
On Monday, October 27, 2025, in Marouaré, Bénoué Division, Garoua 2 Subdivision, of the North Region of Cameroon, a private school was set ablaze amidst the post-election violation in the Northern region. The school was alleged to belong 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 fire had come from Yerima Dewa’s residence, supposedly targeting the nearby home of presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary.[12]
ii. Burning of Mustapha Labaran’s house in Banyo
On November 3, 2025, in Banyo, Adamawa Region of Cameroon, angry protesters burned down the resident of Mustapha Labaran. During the protest and the lock down 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 shops of owners who didn’t open in Banyo.[13]
iii. Demolition of CPDM headquarters and Party House in Cameroon
Protesters set ablaze the CPDM party house in Dschang[14] and also burn down the CPDM headquarters in Melong[15], that of 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.[16]
iv. Burning of the court house in Dschang
After setting ablaze the CPDM part house, the angry protesters went ahead to burn the court house in Dschang amidst the post-election violations.
v. Restriction of Freedom of Movement
From October 12, 2025, in Cameroon, there was a lot of lockdown amidst the October 12 presidential election.
CHART: POST-ELECTION HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN CAMEROON, 2025
|
Date |
Location |
Incident |
perpetrators |
Rights Violated |
|
October 24, 2025 |
Douala |
Arrest |
Government |
Freedom of Movement |
|
October, 27, 2025 |
Douala |
Killing |
Defense and security forces |
Right to life |
|
October 27, 2025 |
Newbell, Doula |
Killing |
Defense and security forces |
Right to life |
|
October 27, 2025 |
North |
Burning of school |
Protesters |
Right to Education |
|
October 29, 2025 |
Douala |
Killing |
Defense and security forces |
Right to life |
|
November 3, 2025 |
Adamawa |
Destruction of property |
Protesters |
Right to own property |
[1]https://cameroonnewsagency.com/kamto-held-under-hosue-arrest-prevented-from-meeting-supporters/
[2] https://mimimefoinfos.com/kamto/?fbclid=IwRlRTSANYRS5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHm-vYGGKG37hFyBelngKmILwbylfhFZpx4S66DP2ELEZLA61_ggOnKhxKouT_aem_eA9g2FnTiRxZd_yDP14mBQ
[3] https://mimimefoinfos.com/sdf-condemns-demolition-of-yaounde-office-2025-election/amp/
[4] https://www.facebook.com/MimiMefoInfo/posts/just-informer-minister-and-2025-presidential-candidate-issa-tchiroma-bakary-was-/1304564611026307/
[5]https://theguardianpostcameroon.com/post/5393/fr/nsimalen-airport-presidency-blocks-tchiroma-travelling-abroad-
[6]https://www.facebook.com/MimiMefoInfo/posts/breaking-news-the-sdo-of-yaound%C3%A9-5-has-refused-to-authorize-the-upc-rally-planne/1338719554277479/
[7]https://www.facebook.com/MimiMefoInfo/posts/breaking-news-the-undp-rally-in-limbe-is-now-proceeding-after-the-senior-divisio/1333972258085542/
[8] https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Co1bnMudj/
[9] https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19v5EkDzNm/
[10] https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16Zp4Avnez/
[11] https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/12/03/cameroon-prominent-opposition-leader-dies-in-custody?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[12]https://www.facebook.com/MimiMefoInfo/posts/pfbid0MTcGfEV6syLw1e6AMPKN9UWMASEXdYuSvyN6f53xjWDt8NAaQMCADVU1A77fzmTtl
[13] https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17P4TSzRnJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
[14] https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1X86rwyBqr/?mibextid=wwXIfr
[15] https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CF7pRiscP/?mibextid=wwXIfr
[16] Own source