CAMEROON: Ghost Towns and Ghost Votes: The Reality of Elections in Anglophone Cameroon

The violence in the Anglophone regions has been marked by systematic abuses by both government forces and separatist groups. Reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch document killings, disappearances, and other human rights violations committed by the Cameroonian military during counter-insurgency operations. These actions have led to mass displacement, with many residents fleeing their homes to escape the violence. The displacement of civilians has created a significant barrier to electoral participation. Many of those who have fled the conflict zones are unable to return to their communities to vote, and the ongoing insecurity discourages others from attempting to exercise their democratic rights. The Cameroonian government has been accused of exploiting the crisis to manipulate electoral outcomes in the Anglophone regions. During the 2018 presidential election, separatist groups declared "ghost towns," effectively shutting down public life on election day...