Cameroon: Ramadan to begin May 26-27

Event

On May 26-27 (depending on the moon), Muslims will begin their month-long celebration of Ramadan. The end of the month of Ramadan, marked by the Eid-al-Fitr celebrations, will take place on June 25. Many businesses, restaurants, and government administrations are expected to operate on a reduced schedule during this holy month. Diplomatic missions may also operate on a similar schedule.

Transportation disruptions are to be anticipated during this period due to an increased number of travelers, especially in airports. Heavy traffic after sundown is to be anticipated as Muslims typically gather for festivities and to eat with family, especially over weekends. Furthermore, traffic accidents tend to increase during Ramadan (especially at dusk) due to a combination of hunger, dehydration, exhaustion, and impatience.

Tight security measures are also to be expected due to a heightened terror threat in the region. Local authorities also typically observe an increase in incidents of petty crime during this period. 

In addition, heavy rains are to be expected during Ramadan as Cameroon’s rainy season spans from April to November. Power outages as well as water cuts are possible and can lead to poor food preservation (malfunctioning refrigerators and freezers) and shortages of drinking water. Traffic may be further disrupted if flooding blocks major thoroughfares.

Context

Ramadan is a period of reflection and self-restraint and carries great significance within the Muslim calendar. Muslims traditionally observe daytime fasting and are called to practice increased devotion.

Cameroon is a secular country and predominantly Christian; however, around 20 percent of the population is Muslim.

This period also marks a significant increase in the terrorist threat in predominately Muslim countries. The Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram is active in Cameroon’s Far North, North, and Adamawa regions. Although Boko Haram's main stronghold is in the Nigerian Sambisa Forest (Borno state), the group started carrying out attacks in Cameroon in 2015, particularly in Far North where Boko Haram stockpiles supplies and recruits members. Self-defense groups, composed of local volunteers, have emerged to patrol the country's porous border with Nigeria.

Advice

Individuals in Cameroon are advised to avoid daytime eating, drinking, or smoking in public in Muslim-majority areas during this period. Travelers are also advised to allow additional time for travel and to avoid any form of public demonstration or public gathering.

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.