Cameroon
This West African country is home to 19 million people, about 58% of whom live in urban settings. Cameroon holds a diverse population with over 200 ethnic groups, 24 African language groups, and various religions. Notably, Cameroon was colonized by both the British in the western part and the French in the eastern region. Today, Cameroon has a constitutional democracy, but in 2008 presidential-term limits were removed. The country has the same president, Paul Biya, since 1982. Since the mid-1980's living standards country-wide have been falling, with about 40% of the population living below the poverty line. In 2000 school fees were abolished, and enrollment in primary school is 95%; still, many students drop out.
DATA VISUALIZATIONS
PROTESTS
Cameroon-March-2015
Bamenda, Bamenda
Students boycott classes delivered in French by francophone student teachers. (Primary Source)
Cameroon-June-2016
Douala, University of Douala
Support Staff of the Higher Technical Teachers Training Institute went on strike to protest 10 years of non payment of leave allowance, and 26 months of unpaid examination supervision. (Primary Source)
Cameroon-November-2017
Douala, University of Douala
Lecturers engage in a 5 day strike in protest of 'degrading working conditions.' (Primary Source)
Cameroon-July-2008
Douala, University of Douala
Two teachers protest unfair treatment by Rector. (Primary Source)
Cameroon-February-2015
Bamenda, University of Bamenda
Students protest lack of electricity after lodging complaints with the Cameroon Electricity Company. (Primary Source)
Cameroon-July-2010
Douala, University of Douala
Students protest being excluded from President Biya's Special Grant, despite having the required grades. It was later determined that the omission was done in error. (Primary Source)
Cameroon-January-2017
Bamenda, Bamenda
Anglophone teachers strike over the country's preferential treatment to francophone speakers, despite it being a bilingual country. There were a number of demonstrations in the South West region, where troops were also deployed. Certain schools resumed classes as early as March 2017, with some holding out till late October. The internet in the Anglophone parts of the country was shut down by the government for 136 days. There was also a brief separatist movement, to turn Western Cameroon into an independent state, Ambazonia. (Primary Source)
Cameroon-February-2012
Santa, Government Bilingual High School
Students protest a ban on prayers on the school premises and other harsh disciplinary measures. (Primary Source)
Cameroon-April-2013
Cité de la Paix, Institute Secondaire de Technologie at Cité de la Paix
Students protest the teachers strike. (Primary Source)
Cameroon-April-2018
Mbouda, Government Bilingual High School
Students protest the non-payment of reimbursements for extra classes. (Primary Source)
Cameroon-August-2011
Yaounde, Ministry of Education
Primary school teachers held a sit in protest in front of the Ministry of Basic Education to demand that the government listen to their grievances concerning working conditions. (Primary Source)
Cameroon-May-2018
Yaounde, Catholic University of Yaounde
Students and Faculty march against the killing of 'innocent cameroonians' (Primary Source)
Cameroon-March-2009
Yaounde, University of Yaounde
Students of the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences strike over the published list of PhD students. (Primary Source)
Cameroon-April-2005
Yaounde, University of Yaounde
This protest inspired the more violent protest at Buea. Students protested to demand an abolishment of the yearly tuition fee. A delegation of five students from Yaounde allegedly went to Buea to incite action. (Primary Source)
Cameroon-May-2014
Buea, University of Buea
Teachers strike to protest against inhuman and degrading conditions (Primary Source)
Cameroon-July-2017
Buea, University of Buea
Students demonstrate to demand that school authorities look into the issuance of fake certificates. (Primary Source)
Cameroon-November-2016
Buea, University of Buea
Student's go on a 'sit down strike' to protest unreasonable university policies, which includes an increase in the late registration fees. (Primary Source)
Cameroon-February-2013
Buea, University of Buea
Students protested in order to point the university's attention to issues concerning students, such as online registration, the availability of on campus businesses, and an allowance for students to write exams upon part payment of the registration fees. (Primary Source)
Cameroon-May-2012
Buea, University of Buea
Students disrupt the national university games, in the presence of the minister of sports. They demanded payment of owed allowances and asked for new sportswear for athletes. (Primary Source)
Cameroon-April-2005
Buea, University of Buea
Students protested to demand the abolishment of the yearly tuition fees in the public universities. The protest in Buea came after an initial protest in the University of Yaonde (Primary Source)