Cameroon: Indefinite strike launched at Douala port May 18

Event

Less than a week after a strike paralyzed the autonomous port of Douala on May 12, dock workers launched a new, indefinite strike on Thursday, May 18. Protesters are demanding better working conditions, higher pay, and health insurance. The strike is likely to once again paralyze activities at the port.

Context

This strike has direct consequences on the country's exports. On Friday, May 12, more than 3000 tons of cocoa and 12 tons of coffee due for shipping remained on shore.

The dock worker strike comes amid an ongoing political crisis in Cameroon and ahead of presidential elections schedule for 2018. Although unrelated to strikes and demonstrations happening elsewhere in the country, it contributes to the overall domestic turmoil. A recent wave of protests first erupted in the southern and northwestern Anglophone regions in October 2016; tensions between English- and French-speaking communities have risen considerably in recent months.

Advice

Individuals present in Cameroon are advised to monitor the situation and avoid all protests due to the potential for violence.

On a separate note, due to the high threat of terrorism, individuals present in Cameroon are advised to avoid all travel to the entire Far North region, as well as Mayo-Louti department (North region) and the borders with Nigeria, Chad, and the Central African Republic. Nonessential travel to the rest of North region and Adamawa region is also advised against. In the rest of the country, especially in the cities of Yaoundé and Douala, individuals are advised to be vigilant with regards to urban crime and the underlying terrorist threat.