Cameroon: Military allegedly deports 100,000 refugees since 2015

Event

The advocacy group Human Rights Watch reported on Wednesday, September 27, that Cameroon’s military has forced the deportation of approximately 100,000 Nigerian asylum seekers. The Cameroonian military had reportedly been deporting Nigerian refugees since early 2015. Human Rights Watch also reported a number of cases of torture and assault on refugees by soldiers. Cameroonian authorities have denied the accusations. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has also reportedly been denied access to refugee camps along the Cameroonian-Nigerian border.

Context

The Far North region of Cameroon, especially areas along the border with Nigeria, regularly experiences attacks attributed to Boko Haram militants. While Boko Haram's main stronghold is in Nigeria, the group has been carrying out attacks in Cameroon since 2013.

Advice

Individuals present in Cameroon are advised to limit time in areas deemed particularly likely to be targeted in a terrorist attack (crowded markets, etc.), and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities.

Some Western governments advise their citizens against travel to the Far North region as well as other areas bordering Nigeria, Chad, and the Central African Republic; travel to these areas should only be considered with appropriate security protocols in place.