Cameroon is simultaneously managing two separate but connected security crises — armed separatist conflict in western Anglophone regions and jihadist insurgency in northern areas — while country is also dealing with consequences of instability spreading from neighbouring states.
According to data from early 2025, more than 500,000 internally displaced persons were registered in Anglophone-majority regions of Cameroon. Additionally, country is hosting more than 400,000 refugees and asylum seekers who have fled security deterioration in Central African Republic and Nigeria.
Anglophone crisis is continuing without any visible political solution emerging. In March 2026, two Cameroonian soldiers were killed in separatist ambush in area of Belo. Later same month, Supreme Court of Cameroon cancelled life sentences of ten separatist leaders — step that some analysts interpret as possible opening toward negotiations, though active fighting on ground has not stopped.
Separatists have been gaining ground militarily, with dozens of soldiers killed in 2025 alone. December 2025 witnessed series of ambushes on government troops in North West region, including failed attempt to kill senior military commander. International Crisis Group analysts describe current trajectory as one of escalating risks to Cameroon's overall stability if no serious negotiations begin.
Attempts at external mediation have so far failed to produce results. In May 2025, former South African President Thabo Mbeki publicly confirmed that President Paul Biya rejected mediation attempt organised by group of former African heads of state. UN Security Council has held only one meeting dedicated specifically to Cameroon situation — an informal Arria-formula meeting on humanitarian situation — and that took place back in 2019.
One unusual development came in April 2026 when separatist alliance declared three-day ceasefire ahead of visit to Bamenda by Pope Leo XIV — gesture that indicated separatist leadership is capable of political signalling, though it stopped well short of any formal engagement with government.
Situation in north is also becoming more difficult. Jihadist violence which intensified in previous year continued growing through first months of 2026. Border clashes between Cameroon and Nigeria recorded in February and March 2026 were directly connected to activities of ISWAP group. According to information from Cameroonian gendarmerie, approximately one hundred individuals with radical backgrounds have been identified among refugee flows crossing from Nigerian territory.
As of October 2025, approximately 3.3 million people across Cameroon required humanitarian assistance, however available funding covered only 17 percent of identified needs.
Political situation inside country is adding further pressure. Opposition leader Tchiroma, who has been in exile in Banjul since November 2025, has announced plans to return to Cameroon — announcement that has already put authorities on edge. His return is widely expected to trigger fresh protests. Tchiroma has also called for boycott of mayoral and parliamentary elections expected between May and August 2026, creating another potential flashpoint at moment when government can least afford additional domestic instability.
Security experts note that majority of Cameroon's population lives in areas directly affected by one of two active conflict zones — northwest and extreme north — which makes country especially vulnerable if either crisis escalates further.
