Country Risk Report
Cameroon
Yaounde
French and English (official)
Central African CFA franc (XAF)
Executive Summary
Cameroon is classified as a HIGH risk destination, facing two distinct insurgencies alongside acute political uncertainty. In the Anglophone North-west and South-west regions, a separatist insurgency seeking an independent Ambazonia has fought the army since 2016, using guerrilla tactics, roadblocks, abductions, extortion and enforced ghost-town shutdowns, displacing over a million people. In the Far North, Boko Haram and ISWAP factions attack from the Lake Chad Basin, with a March 2026 assault on a base killing around twenty soldiers. President Paul Biya, aged 92 and in power since 1982, was declared winner of a disputed October 2025 election with 53.66 per cent, triggering protests in which dozens were killed, and his prolonged absences and unfilled succession arrangements have fuelled paralysis and speculation. Legislative and municipal elections are due in 2026. Yaounde and the economic capital Douala function with elevated precautions, facing urban crime rather than insurgency, while the conflict regions and the eastern border with the Central African Republic, which hosts refugees, carry the highest risk. Abductions for ransom occur in both conflict zones. Cover for Cameroon is available on a specialist basis, with the North-west, South-west and Far North regions typically excluded.
Risk Matrix
| Category | Risk Rating | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Armed Conflict | High | Anglophone separatist insurgency in the west and Boko Haram and ISWAP conflict in the Far North. |
| Terrorism | High | Boko Haram and ISWAP attack in the Far North, using suicide bombings and drones. |
| Kidnapping | High | Abductions for ransom occur in both conflict zones; foreigners are targets. |
| Crime | Moderate | Urban crime in the main cities; higher lawlessness in conflict areas. |
| Civil Unrest | High | Post-election protests and repression, plus enforced ghost-town shutdowns in the west. |
| Health & Medical | Moderate | Limited care, worse in conflict regions. Serious cases require evacuation. |
| Internal Travel | High | Roadblocks, shutdowns and attacks affect the conflict regions; cities are more manageable. |
| Digital / Cyber | Moderate | Censorship, internet restrictions and monitoring, worse during unrest. |
Essential Precautions
Security Situation
Cameroon faces two insurgencies, in the Anglophone west and the Far North, alongside political uncertainty around the ageing president and a disputed election. The main cities function with precautions, while the conflict regions and eastern border are highly dangerous.
Yaounde and Douala
The North-west and South-west (Anglophone)
The Far North (Lake Chad Basin)
The East and the CAR Border
Detailed Risk Assessment
Armed Conflict
An Anglophone separatist insurgency has fought the army in the North-west and South-west since 2016, while Boko Haram and ISWAP wage a cross-border insurgency in the Far North, including a March 2026 base attack that killed around twenty soldiers.
Terrorism
Boko Haram and ISWAP conduct attacks, suicide bombings and, increasingly, drone strikes in the Far North, targeting the military, communities and refugee areas. Separatist violence in the west also targets civilians and officials.
Kidnapping and Detention
Abductions for ransom occur in both conflict zones, by separatists in the west and by Boko Haram and ISWAP in the Far North, and aid workers have been kidnapped. Arbitrary detention of activists and critics also occurs.
Crime and Lawlessness
Urban crime, including robbery and scams, affects the main cities, while lawlessness is higher in the conflict regions where armed groups run roadblocks and extortion. Policing is uneven.
Internal Travel
Movement in the conflict regions is dangerous, with separatist roadblocks and ghost-town shutdowns in the west and attack risk in the Far North, while the main cities and the Yaounde-Douala corridor are more manageable with precautions.
Health and Disease
Healthcare is limited, with reasonable private facilities in Yaounde and Douala but poor provision elsewhere and disrupted services in conflict regions. Malaria and other diseases are endemic, and serious cases require evacuation.
Cultural and Religious Sensitivities
Cameroon is highly diverse, broadly Christian in the south and Muslim in the north, and Anglophone-Francophone and ethnic tensions are politically charged. The president's health, the Anglophone crisis and politics are dangerous topics, and travellers should be discreet and defer to local guidance.
LGBT Travellers
Same-sex relationships are criminalised with penalties of up to five years, and prosecutions and social hostility are common. LGBT travellers face serious risk and should exercise absolute discretion, including over digital content.
Landmines and IEDs
Boko Haram and ISWAP use improvised explosive devices in the Far North, contaminating conflict areas and routes there. Elsewhere the risk is low, but the Far North should be avoided.
Diplomatic and Government Situation
President Biya, in power since 1982, won a disputed 2025 election amid protests and deaths, and his age, health and unfilled succession arrangements have fuelled paralysis, with 2026 legislative and municipal elections pending. Civic space is heavily restricted, and consular support is limited in conflict regions.
Digital and Cyber Threats
The authorities censor media, restrict the internet during unrest, and monitor communications, and reporting on the president's health or the Anglophone crisis has been banned. Sensitive content can create risk.
Vaccinations & Health Hazards
Strongly Recommended
- Yellow Fever
Required for entry; carry certification.
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid
Recommended due to contaminated food and water.
- Poliomyelitis and Measles (MMR)
Recommended given circulation.
- Hepatitis B and Tetanus
Recommended given limited safe medical care.
- Meningococcal Meningitis
Recommended for the north.
Other Health Hazards
- Malaria: High risk year round. Take prophylaxis and bite-avoidance measures.
- Food and water hygiene: Practise strict hygiene; waterborne illness is common.
- Trauma capacity: Trauma care is limited outside the main cities. Carry a kit and pre-arrange evacuation.
- Cholera: Outbreaks occur; follow health guidance.
- Routine vaccines: Ensure all primary courses and boosters are up to date on the UK schedule.
Choosing the Right Insurance
Cover for Cameroon is available on a specialist basis, with the North-west, South-west and Far North regions typically excluded. The main cities are manageable with elevated precautions, while travel to conflict regions requires specialist war-risk insurance covering evacuation and kidnap-for-ransom and pre-travel approval.
Annex A - Key Risk Dynamics
Checkpoints and Detention Triggers
The army and separatists operate checkpoints in the west; conduct differs and is unpredictable. Separatists enforce ghost-town shutdowns in the west, often on Mondays, when movement is dangerous. Carry original documents and a verifiable purpose. Do not photograph military, separatists or installations.Kidnapping and Detention Dynamics
Separatists abduct for ransom and coercion in the west. Boko Haram and ISWAP abduct in the Far North. Aid workers have been kidnapped in both zones. Most abductions occur on routes in the conflict regions.High-Risk Travellers
Conflict-region travellers face separatist or jihadist risk. Aid workers face abduction and attack risk. Activists and journalists face detention risk. First-time hostile-environment travellers are unlikely to manage roadblock, shutdown and attack conditions.Annex B - Key Preparation & Checklists
Essential Preparation and Medical
Avoid the conflict regions and travel there only for critical purposes with specialist support and cover. Establish extraction and evacuation plans and carry a trauma kit. Take malaria prophylaxis and carry bite-avoidance measures. Carry original documents at all times.Digital Security and Checkpoints
Travel with clean devices and enable remote wipe. Plan for internet restrictions during unrest. Clear material on the Anglophone crisis and politics. Turn off geolocation and cloud sync.Movement and Operational Security
Avoid the west and Far North and the eastern border. Avoid movement in the west during shutdowns, often Mondays. Expect military and separatist checkpoints. Use reputable transport in the cities.Conduct and Legal Compliance
Respect diverse cultural and religious norms. Avoid the president's health, the Anglophone crisis and politics. Never photograph military, separatists or installations.This report is provided for information only and does not constitute travel or security advice. Ratings are indicative and subject to change without notice. Confirm current conditions with Hotspot Cover before any deployment.
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