On September 22, 2025, Cameroon commemorates a sad anniversary: five years have passed since the peaceful demonstrations organized by the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC), repressed by the authorities.

On September 22, 2020, the MRC called for people to take to the streets to demand a national dialogue, electoral reform, and an end to the conflict in the English-speaking regions. In response, more than 500 people were arbitrarily arrested across several cities across the country.

Among the arrested protesters, 36 activists are still behind bars, detained at Kondengui Central Prison in Yaoundé, serving sentences ranging from five to seven years in prison. Some are nearing the end of their sentences, but others, such as Alain Fogué, treasurer of the MRC, or Olivier Bibou Nissack, spokesperson for opposition leader Maurice Kamto, will have to wait several more years.

For Amnesty International, these detentions are arbitrary and constitute a violation of fundamental rights. Fabien Offner, the organization's researcher for Central Africa, denounces this exceptional injustice. "These people were arrested for exercising a fundamental right guaranteed by Cameroonian and international law. They were tried by military courts when they should have appeared before civilian courts," he reminded RFI.

"Unfortunately, no progress has been observed in terms of respect for human rights in recent years, despite calls from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and warnings from the Committee against Torture regarding abuses in prisons and police stations," he added.

As President Paul Biya seeks an eighth term, restrictions on civic space are tightening further. On September 2, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights warned of a deteriorating democratic climate in Cameroon.

More recently, on August 4, 2025, around fifty MRC supporters were arrested in Yaoundé, near the Constitutional Council. Twenty-three of them are being prosecuted for inciting revolt and disturbing public order.

Amnesty says there is a high risk that more activists will be convicted for crimes that fall outside the scope of criminal justice or international law.