President Paul Biya has ruled Cameroon since 1982. His Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) has maintained power by rigging elections, using state resources for political patronage, and limiting the activities of opposition parties. Freedom of expression and civil society activism are restricted, and due process safeguards are routinely violated. A conflict between security forces and separatists in the Anglophone Northwest and Southwest regions is ongoing and has resulted in widespread civilian deaths and displacements.

• The 91-year-old president generated renewed speculation about his well-being and location when he disappeared from public view for more than 40 days in September and October. During his absence, the government prohibited any media discussion about his health. In November, a Roman Catholic archbishop echoed opposition leaders in calling on Biya, without naming him, to resign and make way for a new generation. Nevertheless, the president was expected to seek reelection in 2025.
• In July, CPDM lawmakers approved a proposal by President Biya to extend their mandate and postpone legislative elections from early 2025 to March 2026. Local council elections were similarly postponed, with the government arguing that it would have been difficult to hold them in the same year as the presidential and regional council elections.
• Independent media outlets, opposition parties, and civil society organizations continued to face suspensions, bans, and harassment throughout the year, with many individual journalists, politicians, and activists subjected to arbitrary detentions and physical attacks. A trial of 17 people charged with the 2023 abduction and murder of journalist Martinez Zogo, who had recently reported on corruption allegations involving the government and a prominent businessman, remained stalled at year’s end. Also during the year, several young social media users were arrested or intimidated in reprisal for their commentary on the country’s social and political situation.
• In August, authorities in the United Kingdom charged executives from the mining company Glencore with making corrupt payments to officials in Cameroon and other West African countries in connection with oil extraction projects. Among other prominent corruption scandals, employees at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications claimed that their performance bonuses had been embezzled for years, and the ministry responsible for state property and land issues was accused of granting enormous land concessions to individuals or companies under fraudulent circumstances.

This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2025 due to ongoing budget constraints. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.

For additional background information, see last year’s full report.