AGP Executive Report

Cameroon Politics & Governance: Cabral Libii renews debate on post-Biya succession by urging Paul Biya to appoint a vice president, triggering backlash over fears of “backroom succession” and constitutional implications. Human Rights & Security: Cameroon police in Douala arrest 68 people in a late-August anti-gay crackdown, with nine still awaiting trial; separate reports also cite militant attacks with heavy casualties. Economy & Public Policy: S&P cuts Cameroon’s 2026 growth forecast to 3.5% while keeping sovereign ratings at B-/B, warning political transition could be a make-or-break factor; UNICEF says 223,749 children are out of school in the Anglophone crisis, with 2,463 schools shut. Energy & Infrastructure: Cameroon’s regulator hears plans for a 44 MW solar-plus-storage project in Banyo, while other power and water initiatives continue to move forward. International Affairs: A US deportation probe highlights “third-country” deals affecting African states including Cameroon, and the UK publishes 2026 airport transit visa rules listing Cameroon among affected nationals.

Anglophone Crisis Watch: UNICEF says 223,749 children are fully out of school in Cameroon’s North-West and South-West, with 2,463 schools shut due to the conflict, while programmes like CARED aim to reintegrate children through accelerated learning. Economic & Political Risk: S&P keeps Cameroon’s sovereign rating at B-/B with a stable outlook, but warns that political transition uncertainty is a key market concern alongside weaker growth, hydrocarbon contraction, and subsidy pressure. Energy & Local Power: Cameroon’s regulator is reviewing a proposed 44MW solar-plus-storage project in Banyo (Adamawa), alongside the broader push to expand generation beyond thermal plants. Cultural Diplomacy: Expertise France and AFD are supporting the modernisation of Yaoundé’s National Museum under the C2D debt-for-development framework. Migration & Rights: AFP reports Yaoundé is hosting US deportees under Trump’s “third country” approach, highlighting legal and humanitarian anxieties for people with long ties to the US. International Mobility: The UK published 2026 airport transit visa requirements listing Cameroon among dozens of African countries whose travellers may be denied boarding without the visa.

Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis and education fallout: UNICEF says 223,749 children are completely out of school in the North-West and South-West, with 2,463 schools shut down due to the conflict, while programmes like CARED aim to reintegrate affected learners. Cameroon energy push: In Banyo (Adamawa), a 44 MW solar-plus-battery project is being developed with Socadel and local partners, presented to the regulator in Yaoundé—far bigger than the smaller hybridisation solar plans under Mission 300. Sovereign risk watch: S&P Global reaffirmed Cameroon’s B-/B rating with a stable outlook but cut 2026 growth to 3.5%, citing weaker hydrocarbons and agriculture, and flagged political transition as a key market concern. Refugees and deportations spotlight: AFP reports Cameroonian authorities are among African destinations receiving US deportees under “third-country” arrangements, raising fears and uncertainty for people with little connection to their new country. Yaoundé cultural diplomacy: France’s Expertise France visited the National Museum in Yaoundé under a C2D-funded modernisation partnership aimed at better conservation and promotion. Trade policy pressure: Benjamin Kalu urged the WTO to deliver concrete outcomes on public stockholding for food security and investment facilitation, warning delays are eroding trust.

Anglophone Crisis Education Fallout: UNICEF reports 223,749 children out of school in Cameroon’s North-West and South-West, with 2,463 schools shut down, as families flee conflict; UNICEF and partners are pushing reintegration through CARED accelerated lessons to help children catch up. Cultural Heritage Modernisation: France’s Expertise France and AFD are supporting the Yaoundé National Museum’s renovation and modernisation with €1m under the C2D debt-for-development framework, aiming to improve conservation and documentation. Refugees and Displacement: Nigeria’s NCFRMI says it has returned 50,000 refugees in three years and remains responsible for over 6.7m IDPs, including people from neighbouring countries. Cameroon’s Political Risk for Investors: S&P keeps Cameroon’s sovereign rating at B-/B with a stable outlook, but flags that political transition and succession uncertainty are now central to market concerns. Trade Policy Push: Benjamin Kalu urges the WTO to deliver concrete outcomes on public stockholding for food security and investment facilitation, warning delays are eroding trust. Security Shock in the North: Reports say suspected militants killed at least 15 in a northern Cameroon village raid in Madegoua.

Security in the Far North: Reuters reports suspected ISWAP militants killed at least 15 in a pre-dawn attack on Madegoua near Makary, with villagers alleging the assault followed earlier orders to vacate a strategic route. Public safety on Cameroon’s waters: Police in Akwa Ibom say a Cameroon-bound speedboat sank on the Ibaka waterways; the driver and deckhand were rescued and authorities urged operators to avoid overloading and ensure life jackets. Governance & state payroll control: Cameroon redirected September–October salaries of 5,971 public workers suspected of living abroad to Yaoundé I for verification, requiring proof of administrative status to avoid suspension. AfCFTA implementation: Gabon sent trade and customs officials to Yaoundé to study how Cameroon applies AfCFTA preferential tariffs and how businesses use the regime. Energy sector management: SNH hosted Perenco’s delegation in Yaoundé to introduce a new General Manager for Perenco subsidiaries and reaffirm the partnership. Local development & jobs: WFP handed over a new administrative facility to MINADER sub-divisions in Maroua to strengthen support for smallholder farmers. Health & innovation: University of Yaoundé I opened a national symposium on valorizing Cameroonian traditional pharmacopoeia as a “Made in Cameroon” growth lever.

Security Update (Cameroon Far North): Suspected Islamist militants killed at least 15 people in a pre-dawn raid on the village of Madegoua near Makary, with victims reportedly tied up and executed; no group claimed responsibility, though analysts point to ISWAP/Boko Haram activity in the Lake Chad basin. Public Finance & Payroll Control (Cameroon): Cameroon redirected September and October salaries of 5,971 public workers suspected of living abroad to the Yaoundé I Treasury Pay Office, requiring them to prove their administrative status before receiving pay. Energy & Industry (Cameroon): SNH welcomed Perenco’s newly appointed Cameroon General Manager, Julien Gras, as the state oil firm and partner reaffirmed their long-running collaboration. Local Economic Development (Cameroon): Cameroon sped up tender preparation for a $200m World Bank water security phase (SEWASH), aiming to move first bidding documents through procurement. Trade/Politics (Russia): Observers from Algeria, Cameroon, Burundi and the Comoros assessed the first day of Russia’s State Duma voting in Moscow, reporting no violations at the polling station visited. Business/Forestry (Cameroon): Sefeccam partnered with Belgium’s LDCwood to process fraké locally in Douala using new industrial kilns for export. Regional Governance/Youth: The World Bank invited youth-led groups in Cameroon and other African countries to apply for health and nutrition advocacy grants.

Security Update (Far North): Suspected Islamist militants killed at least 15 people in a pre-dawn raid on Madegoua near Makary, with victims reportedly taken from homes and executed; no group claimed responsibility, though locals suspect Boko Haram and analysts point to ISWAP. Public Safety (Yaoundé/Water): Cameroon is speeding up early steps for a $200m World Bank water security project (SEWASH), pushing faster tender documents after talks in Yaoundé. Governance & Economy (IMF): An IMF mission met Cameroon’s finance minister in Yaoundé for regular Article IV surveillance on growth, public finances and debt sustainability after the 2021–2025 program ended. Energy & Urban Services (Yaoundé): Cameroon awarded CFA1.43bn contracts for 20,000 new electricity connections in Yaoundé under the PRSEC reform program. Parliamentary Diplomacy: Cameroon’s National Assembly Speaker Théodore Datouo began an official visit to Bern to deepen Cameroon–Switzerland parliamentary cooperation. Justice & Media Reform: ASF France trained Yaoundé journalists on ethical, legally accurate reporting ahead of a September 23 push on alternative penalties and prison governance. International Trade (WTO): India floated eight safeguards for plurilateral initiatives at the WTO, signaling cautious openness while keeping consensus-based decision-making central.

IMF Surveillance in Yaoundé: Finance Minister Louis Paul Motazé met an IMF mission led by Christine Dieterich to review Cameroon’s macro outlook, public finances and debt sustainability after the 2021–2025 program ended in July 2025, with talks framed under regular Article IV surveillance rather than a disbursement review. Water Security Push: Cameroon is speeding up first tender preparation for the World Bank’s $200m SEWASH water security phase, aiming to move procurement forward after completing the project management unit and bidding documents. Electricity Connections in Yaoundé: The government awarded CFA1.43bn in contracts for 20,000 new power connections in Yaoundé under PRSEC, covering equipment, installation and meter activation. Customs Revenue Watch: Kribi’s South II customs sector collected CFA162.9bn since the start of 2026, reflecting continued growth since the port’s commercial launch. Rural Jobs & Agropastoral Training: Cameroon and GIZ signed instruments to align vocational training with agropastoral market needs, boosting employment pathways through MINADER/MINEPIA/MINEFOP coordination. Prison Reform Media Training: ASF France (Cameroon) trained journalists in ethical, legally accurate reporting ahead of a September 23 colloquium on alternative penalties. Gender & Violence Debate: A feminist rights discussion questioned who benefits from violence-against-women interventions and whether funding priorities reproduce inequalities. Regional Conservation Link: CITES added Cross River and Okomu National Parks to the MIKE elephant monitoring network, expanding Africa’s systematic elephant tracking. Security/Justice Abroad: In Nigeria’s Cross River, police said four of 60 suspects arrested after a Watt Market police assault will be arraigned on Sept 18.

CEMAC/IMF Talks: BEAC Governor Yvon Sana Bangui met the IMF in Washington to revive the suspended regional assurances review, with December 2026 flagged as a possible completion date—an important step for future CEMAC-linked IMF programs. Justice & Governance: In the Martinez Zogo case, a missing phone linked to DGRE operations returned to focus as investigators told the Yaoundé Military Court the device and SIM had stopped transmitting, while Colonel Justin Danwe’s defense again argued he ordered the operation but not the journalist’s death. Anti-Corruption/Business: Former Cameroon Bar Association president Akere Muna renewed calls to disclose Cameroonian beneficiaries in the Glencore bribery case as the London trial approaches. Energy & Finance: Cameroon awarded a CFA47.5m audit contract to assess spending and work completed on the stalled Bini à Warak hydropower project before any new plan. Public Health: WHO reported 11 African countries with active mpox transmission in six weeks, with Cameroon recording 28 cases. Security: A former Operation Hadin Kai commander said troops neutralised 1,106 JAS/ISWAP terrorists in Borno during his tenure, alongside weapons and cash recoveries. Human Rights/Media: Avocats Sans Frontières trained journalists in Cameroon on reporting detention cases and alternative penalties ahead of a national colloquium. Regional Tragedy: Eight Nigerians were feared drowned after two speedboats collided in Cameroon waters near Tikoro, with bodies recovered at Simon Beach.

Football Governance Under Fire: Cameroonian amateur clubs (ACFAC) are pushing for a government probe into FECAFOOT and Samuel Eto’o after allegations that about €567,000 from Russia’s football body over a 2023 friendly was paid into an account not registered to the federation; ACFAC says it will sue in Cameroon and also file in Russia. Human Rights & Justice: A Yaoundé-based media training by ASF France under PAGOC focused on how journalists should report detention cases with correct legal language, protect identities, and avoid stigmatizing wording ahead of a September 23 colloquium on alternative penalties. Gender-Based Violence Pressure: Human Rights Watch is urging stronger protections after Cameroon recorded 50 femicides in the first four months of 2026, warning that current measures are not translating into safety or effective access to justice. Energy & Business Climate: GeCAM says Cameroon’s electricity crisis is worsening for firms—electricity remains scarce, expensive and unreliable—despite reforms and new generation capacity. Infrastructure Delivery: Cameroon is set to complete the second phase of its nine-city drinking water project by end-February 2027, with works in five cities reported around 70–91% complete. Regional Security: Cameroon’s Anglophone conflict continues to claim lives, with reports of civilians killed in the Southern Cameroons crisis.

Football Governance: In Yaoundé, ACFAC has asked the government to probe FECAFOOT and Samuel Eto’o over alleged mishandling of a €567,000 Russia friendly payment, with plans to sue in Cameroon and file a separate complaint in Russia. Security & State Capacity: Cameroon’s security narrative also features in regional reporting, with claims of major counter-terror recoveries and arrests linked to operations in the North-East. Water Infrastructure: CAMWATER says Cameroon will complete the second phase of its Nine-City Drinking Water Supply Project by end-February 2027, with works in Maroua, Garoua, Garoua-Boulaï, Yabassi and Dschang reported around 70–91% complete. EU Transport Cooperation: The Transport Ministry met the EU Ambassador in Yaoundé to discuss EU support for aviation, maritime, inland waterways and road projects, including AI for accident prevention and corridor trade facilitation. Public Procurement Watch: Yaoundé’s National Printing Office cancelled a CFA230 million equipment overhaul tender, leaving questions over next steps. Health Campaign: Far North Minister Manaouda says a one-week free healthcare drive exceeded targets, including consultations and Universal Health Coverage pre-enrolment. Digital Government: A Yaoundé summit, E-Gov’A (Oct 14–17), will push interoperable, secure digital public services across Africa.

Anglophone Peace Talks: SNWOT women leaders met in Yaoundé with the Swiss Ambassador, saying peace in North West and South West is still not real as lockdowns, violence and school closures persist. Party Politics & Resignations: A former Justice Ministry adviser says resignations from MRC leadership by Jean-Pierre Amougou Kamto and Mamadou Mota deserve political attention, urging leaders to listen to grassroots. Government Reshuffle Wait: Commentators say President Biya’s promised new government “in coming days” has stalled for eight months, with budget deadlines making change unlikely soon. Counterterrorism Accountability: In Nigeria’s North-East, outgoing Operation Hadin Kai commander Major Gen. Abubakar Abdulsalam says troops killed 1,106 terrorists, arrested 758 collaborators, and recovered over N350m linked to financiers, including repatriations from Cameroon. Digital Governance in Yaoundé: E-Gov’A summit (Oct 14–17) will push interoperable, secure digital public services across Africa, with Yaoundé as the coordination hub. Public Procurement Watch: Cameroon’s National Printing Office cancelled a CFA230m equipment overhaul tender without reasons, leaving operational gaps unresolved. Energy Project Financing: Yaoundé hosts talks on the 500MW Kikot-Mbebe dam, but lenders face a CFA748bn cost discrepancy between published estimates. Border Trade: Nigeria and Cameroon customs assessed the Mfum-Ekok one-stop border post to cut friction and boost regional integration.

Mpox Watch: WHO says the global mpox risk remains moderate, with Africa at about 75% of July cases; 11 African countries reported active transmission, and Cameroon is among those with the highest case numbers. Southern Cameroons Violence: In Ekona (Southwest), three civilians and an Ambazonia fighter were killed after separatists opened fire on a vehicle, as clashes intensify around school reopening. Governance Beyond Elections: Nigeria’s VP Kashim Shettima urged leaders to build institutions that outlive their tenure, using the legacy of Brigadier Musa Usman as a reference point. Cameroon Football Under Scrutiny: Samuel Eto’o faces fresh embezzlement allegations tied to Cameroon FA finances, including claims about payments linked to a Russia friendly. Trade, Ports & Transport: Cameroon-Egypt talks spotlight a long-pending air transport deal and maritime cooperation; meanwhile Kribi port performance reportedly plunged to 395th out of 400 in a World Bank index. Customs & Borders: Cameroon’s customs expanded anti-smuggling awareness in the Far North and inspected the Mfum/Ekok joint border post to boost trade and security. Digital Health: Clinicaa launched a teleradiology platform (X-rayVision) to connect facilities with remote radiologists, including development work involving Cameroon.

Far North Budget Clarity: Cameroon’s PSRDREN Far North Special Reconstruction and Development Program shows conflicting 2025 execution rates—59% in the steering committee statement versus 63.8% in MINEPAT—without explaining the 4.8-point gap or even the calculation basis. Anglophone Security: Renewed violence in Cameroon’s Northwest/Southwest left three civilians and a separatist fighter dead after an attack on a vehicle in Ekona, with fighting intensifying around a separatist school-disruption lockdown. Trade & Industry: Cameroon dominates CEMAC’s preferential trade approvals with 1,328 of 1,834 approved products (72.4%), and 91 local companies now benefit since 2014. Cocoa Traceability: ONCC and Germany’s Cooko renewed a three-year cocoa traceability partnership in Douala, but the new deal’s targets and results from the 2021 phase were not disclosed. World Bank Portfolio: MINEPAT now values Cameroon’s World Bank Group portfolio at $3.2bn (CFAF 1.806tn), down from $4.5bn in April 2025, though the ministry did not link it to new financing. Football Governance Shock: Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o faced fresh scrutiny over alleged Russia-related payments, while Nigeria’s football crisis deepened as the NFF board resigned and FIFA demanded a pause for a joint-assisted assessment. Urban Development Deal: Ndolle City in Littoral signed a €5bn strategic agreement to position Cameroon as a hub for a 1,000-hectare new town project aimed at easing Douala congestion.

Anglophone Crisis: Four people were killed in renewed violence in Cameroon’s Southwest, after separatist fighters opened fire on a vehicle in Ekona, triggering a clash in which one separatist fighter was killed. The fighting follows a week-long lockdown ordered by separatists to disrupt school reopening. Youth & Gender-Based Violence: Cameroon’s National Youth Council and a “Stop Femicides” campaign in Yaoundé urged stronger social-media vigilance and better health and legal support for victims as femicide and infanticide cases rise. Policy & Governance: The 2026 Central Africa Think Tank Forum in Yaoundé ended with a push to move from research to implementation, calling for stronger policy uptake across Central Africa. Sports & Public Life: Former Cameroon football star Samuel Eto’o defended his right to speak openly after fresh criticism tied to alleged financial mismanagement over a Russia friendly, saying the timing points to a coordinated campaign. Regional Security Watch: Somalia reported rising prices and maritime security fears as Houthi attacks disrupt Red Sea shipping, with analysts warning piracy could expand—highlighting the wider risk to Cameroon-linked shipping.

Central Africa Policy Push: The 2026 Central Africa Think Tank Forum in Yaoundé ended with a clear demand to move from “evidence to action,” urging governments, researchers, civil society and partners to strengthen policy uptake instead of staying stuck in discussion. Gender-Based Violence Alarm: Cameroon’s National Youth Council and a “Stop Femicides” roundtable both raised fresh concern over rising femicide and infanticide, calling for stronger social-media vigilance plus better health and legal support for victims. Yaoundé Youth Mobilisation: The youth council framed protecting life as part of consolidating peace, promising wider youth engagement to prevent violence against women and children. Regional Security Context: Separately, Georgia detained 59 foreign nationals in immigration control operations, including Cameroonians—another reminder of how migration enforcement is tightening across regions. Sports Spotlight: Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme and other African sprinters featured at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, with Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi finishing fourth and fastest African.