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Seven Cameroon Soldiers Killed in Separatist Attack in Southwest Region

In a deadly escalation of Cameroon's ongoing Anglophone crisis, seven government soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb attack near the town of Malende in the Southwest Region on Friday morning, September 6, 2025. The Attack The Fako Unity Warriors, an English-speaking separatist faction, has claimed responsibility for the deadly roadside bombing that targeted a military convoy. The attack represents one of the most significant single incidents of military casualties in recent months as the conflict in Cameroon's English-speaking regions continues to intensify. Local media reports indicate that the improvised explosive device (IED) was strategically placed along a route frequently used by government forces, highlighting the separatists' increasing sophistication in their tactics against Cameroon's military. The Broader Anglophone Crisis This attack is not an isolated incident but part of a devastating conflict that has been ravaging Cameroon's Northwest and So...
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Cameroon Approves $1.7 Billion Borrowing Plan to Fund Projects and Clear Arrears

YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon — President Paul Biya signed a decree on Tuesday authorizing the government to borrow up to 930 billion CFA francs ($1.7 billion) from domestic and international capital markets, marking a significant escalation in Cameroon's efforts to address mounting fiscal pressures. The proceeds will be used for development projects and the payment of debt arrears, according to the presidential decree. The decision comes as the country grapples with slow disbursement of external financing and revenue shortfalls, particularly in non-oil tax collection. Breakdown of Borrowing Strategy The 930 billion CFA francs will be raised through multiple channels: CFA 350 billion domestically through treasury bond issues on regional capital markets CFA 250 billion through direct loans from domestic private institutions CFA 330 billion from international banking markets, including a planned eurobond issuance The government has indicated that Cameroon is planning to issue a fres...

The Succession Trap: Why Paul Biya Can't Let Go at 92

At 92 years old, Paul Biya remains Cameroon's president after 43 years in power. As he files for an eighth presidential term in the October 2025 election, one has to ask: what keeps a nonagenarian clinging to power when he clearly has little left to offer his country? The answer lies not in his effectiveness as a leader, but in a trap of his own making – the complete absence of succession planning that now makes stepping down more dangerous than staying in power. The Ghost President Phenomenon Biya has earned the telling nickname "roaming president" due to his frequent and prolonged absences from Cameroon. By 2018, he had spent the equivalent of four and a half years away on "brief private visits" to Europe. In some years, he spent a third of his time outside the country, reportedly staying at luxury Swiss hotels that cost $40,000 per day for him and his entourage. Recent patterns are even more concerning. Biya hasn't appeared in public since September 8...
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Japan's Loan to Cameroon: Wrong Timing, Wrong Approach

Why international financial assistance during election season enables corruption and undermines democracy The recent announcement of Japan's loan to Cameroon, including the CFA 1.2 billion backing for fish farming through and other projects in the northern part of cameroon, raises serious questions about the timing and wisdom of providing financial assistance to a country teetering on the edge of electoral manipulation and financial mismanagement.           A Country Drowning in Debt Cameroon's debt situation tells a sobering story. With external debt exceeding $11 billion as of recent estimates, the country remains classified as a Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) . Despite decades of international loans, development aid, and debt relief programs, ordinary Cameroonians continue to struggle with poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to basic services. This raises a fundamental question: Where has all the money gone? The answer lies in a...
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When Loyalty Breaks: Issa Tchiroma's Shocking Break from Biya

In the often predictable world of Cameroonian politics, this week delivered a bombshell that no one saw coming. Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a man who has been one of President Paul Biya's most trusted allies for years, just walked away from everything—his ministerial position, his comfortable spot in the inner circle, and decades of political loyalty. Issa Tchiroma Bakary The Moment Everything Changed Picture this: It's Wednesday evening, and Cameroonians are scrolling through social media when suddenly, there's Issa Tchiroma posting an open letter that would change everything. The Minister of Employment and Vocational Training wasn't just resigning—he was declaring war on the very system he had helped build and defend. Twenty-four hours later, he appeared in a live online broadcast, looking directly into the camera and confirming what many still couldn't believe: "Yes, I am a candidate for the presidential election of 2025." More Than Just Another Resignation T...
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Southern Cameroon: The World's Most Neglected Crisis

In a world filled with breaking news and constant global updates, some stories tragically slip through the cracks. According to the Norwegian Refugee Council's (NRC) 2025 report, the ongoing conflict in Southern Cameroon, often referred to as the Anglophone Crisis, has been identified as one of the most neglected displacement crises in the world. This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a stark reminder of the devastating human suffering that continues without the attention, resources, or action it so desperately needs. For the first time in seven years, Cameroon has taken the top spot on the NRC’s list of forgotten crises. This designation highlights not only the severity of the conflict but also the glaring lack of international awareness and response. While wars and crises in other parts of the world dominate media headlines and humanitarian efforts, the plight of Southern Cameroon has largely been left in silence. Why Is This Crisis Happening? At the heart of the Anglophone Crisis is...
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Cameroon's 2025 Presidential Race: Empty Promises on the Anglophone Crisis

As Cameroon gears up for its October 2025 presidential election, a troubling pattern has emerged among opposition candidates that exposes the shallow nature of their campaigns and their disconnect from the country's most pressing humanitarian crisis. The Anglophone Crisis as Political Currency The Anglophone crisis, which has ravaged Cameroon's Northwest and Southwest regions since 2016, has suddenly become the centerpiece of every opposition candidate's platform. What was once a neglected issue in national political discourse is now being treated as a golden ticket to the presidency. Every aspiring leader is making bold proclamations about resolving this complex conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced over a million people. The uniformity of their promises is both striking and concerning. Candidate after candidate confidently declares they will end the Anglophone crisis within their first 100 days in office. These sweeping guarantees sound impressive ...
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Why the UN Must Pay Close Attention to Cameroon's Political Climate

As Cameroon approaches its October 2025 presidential elections, the international community—particularly the United Nations—must closely monitor the country's deteriorating political climate. The government's systematic suppression of opposition voices represents a dangerous erosion of democratic norms that demands urgent international scrutiny. The Opposition Under Siege The most glaring example of this suppression is the recent barring of Maurice Kamto, President Paul Biya's main political rival, from the upcoming presidential race. Kamto, who officially garnered 14 percent of votes in the disputed 2018 presidential election, has been excluded by Cameroon's Constitutional Council, which ruled his candidacy "unfounded" under electoral code requirements. This exclusion is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern. Human Rights Watch has documented how the government has systematically banned opposition coalitions and engaged in what they descri...
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The Deadly Silence: How Downplaying the Anglophone Cameroon Crisis Fuels More Death

The humanitarian crisis in Anglophone Cameroon is spiraling, yet for many, it remains a silent tragedy. Despite the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) consistently categorizing it as one of the world's most neglected displacement crises, the international response, particularly from bodies like the United Nations, appears to be downplaying its severity. This underreporting and muted condemnation are not merely oversights; they are contributing directly to a rising death toll and an escalating human catastrophe. For nine years, the Anglophone regions of Cameroon have been gripped by a brutal conflict between state forces and armed separatists. What began as protests against perceived marginalization has escalated into widespread violence, marked by unlawful killings, torture, abductions, and the destruction of homes and infrastructure. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, their lives shattered, and access to basic necessities like food, water, and healthcare severely limited. The...
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Vincent Bolloré Faces Fraud and Corruption Allegations in Cameroon and other African Countries

French billionaire Vincent Bolloré and his son are facing serious allegations of fraud and corruption related to port concessions in several African countries, including Cameroon, Togo, and Ghana. These allegations stem from claims that Bolloré's group engaged in illegal practices to secure lucrative contracts for operating ports in these regions. In Cameroon, the allegations are part of a broader lawsuit filed by a coalition of 11 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working for transparency in Africa. These NGOs, based in countries such as Guinea, Togo, Cameroon, and France, accuse Bolloré of being at the center of a "system of corruption" that involved the illegal acquisition of port concessions. The lawsuit also includes charges of handling and concealing ill-gotten goods and money laundering. The Bolloré Group, which was a major player in African logistics and port operations, is alleged to have used unethical methods to secure contracts. While specific details abou...
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