Human Rights & Public Liberties

Human Rights & Public Liberties

Newsletter
Published on: 13 Jan, 2021

Cameroon Regional Elections

Published on: 6 December, 2020

The polls, seen as a step toward decentralisation, were provided for in the 1996 constitution but never implemented.

The regions will elect 90 councilors, who will have limited powers on local issues.

It’s not clear whether the vote can go ahead in the restive north-west and south-west.

More than 3000 people have been killed there in the past three years.

The regions are English-speaking and have long complained they are sidelined.

That resentment boiled over into a full-blown revolt in late 2017. Both sides have been accused of atrocities.

The government says the elections will give the regions greater say overspending and local governance.

But separatist rebels have called the vote a fraud and opposition parties are likely to boycott.