On June 18, 2026, the Journal du Cameroun published the findings of an exhaustive investigation carried out by thirty non‑governmental organisations following the 2025 presidential election. That year, marked by the final vote for power, proved to be a theatre of intensified human‑rights abuses, according to a hundred‑page document divided into ten sections.
The study, led by NGOs such as 'Un Monde Avenir', aims to serve as a critical mirror of the national situation. Each part of the report examines a specific facet – from police repression to restrictions on freedom of expression – in order to paint a comprehensive picture of the abuses observed. The collective work, the product of close collaboration among the associations, reflects a shared commitment to document the reality on the ground.
The figures are striking: more than seven hundred deaths and close to fifteen hundred arrests linked to political motives or demonstrations. These data, compiled from testimonies, court files and field reports, indicate an escalation of violence that goes beyond isolated incidents. They also highlight the breadth of the phenomenon, affecting both urban areas and peripheral regions.
The NGOs note that these violations occur within a context of heightened tension, where security forces are mobilised to safeguard the electoral process. They point to practices such as arbitrary detention, physical violence and restrictions on freedom of association, without detailing each individual case. The report stresses the need to document every incident to ensure traceability and accountability of the actors involved.
Why this spike in repression during an election period? Analysts argue that the competition for power fuels a militarisation of public debate, with authorities seeking to curb any form of opposition. This logic, amplified by the proximity of the vote, creates a climate of mistrust and impunity, feeding a vicious circle of violations and disproportionate security responses.
For Cameroonians, these revelations carry a heavy burden: eroding trust in institutions, fear of expressing opinions and a growing sense of insecurity. The diaspora, closely monitoring developments in the country, sees the numbers as a call for vigilance and international mobilisation. Civil‑society organisations are demanding impartial investigations, the release of detainees and the establishment of independent monitoring mechanisms.
The future will depend on the government's ability to acknowledge these findings and launch concrete reforms. NGOs urge regional partners and international bodies to support a verification process and to promote compliance with international standards. Without a firm response, the spectre of violations could extend beyond the election, permanently jeopardising stability and the fundamental rights of the Cameroonian people.
