Cameroon: Lockdown protests in Anglophone regions until mid-September

Event

Anglophone separatist leaders have called for lockdown protests in the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions, to be held until mid-September. The extent of the protests remain however unclear, as some groups have called for a three-weeks lockdown starting from Tuesday, August 27, and others have called for protests between September 2-13. As of Tuesday, August 27, most of business activities were reportedly at standstill in both Anglophone regions. An increased security presence has been reported in the area. Clashes between security forces and separatists cannot be ruled out.

Context

Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions remain tense due to an ongoing separatist movement and conflict between armed groups and the government. Strikes, unrest, and related incidents of violence have become common since November 2016 and have escalated since October 2017.

Advice

Individuals in Cameroon are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests or large gatherings due to the risk of associated violence, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.