Cameroon: IED discovered at government offices in Yaoundé August 17

Event

A crude improvised explosive device (IED) was reportedly discovered inside the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms offices in the Quartier du Lac area of Yaoundé on Monday, August 17, prompting the evacuation of the building. The device was reportedly rendered safe before it could detonate and there were no reports of any damage or injuries, but the incident caused significant disruption in the area. Some reports suggest that the IED had been delivered to the offices in a parcel on Monday morning, although this has yet to be confirmed.

Residual disruptions and heightened security are likely in the area and around other government offices in Yaoundé in the near term.

Context

Monday's incident comes three days after several people were injured in a small IED blast at the city's Mokolo market. Several such bombings have occurred in the capital in recent months, with explosions being reported in the Damas, Melen, and Emana areas of the city. The explosions have caused little damage and only minor injuries, but the incidents have raised concerns over the potential terrorism threat in Yaoundé. Although no group has yet claimed responsibility for the bombings, there has been speculation that they could be linked to the ongoing insurgency in the Anglophone Northwest and Southwest regions.

Advice

Those in Yaoundé are advised to monitor developments, anticipate an increased security presence in the city, and immediately report any suspicious items or activity to security forces.