The Indigenous World 2026: Cameroon

Written on 22 April 2026. Posted in Cameroon

Among Cameroon’s more than 20 million inhabitants, some communities self-identify as Indigenous. These include the hunter/gatherers (Pygmies), the Mbororo pastoralists and the Kirdi.

The Constitution of the Republic of Cameroon uses the terms Indigenous and minorities in its preamble; however, it is not clear to whom this refers. Nevertheless, with developments in international law, civil society, Indigenous Peoples and the government are increasingly using the term Indigenous to refer to the above-mentioned groups.

Together, the Pygmies represent around 0.4% of the total population of Cameroon. They can be further divided into three sub-groups, namely the Bagyéli or Bakola, who are estimated to number around 4,000 people, the Baka – estimated at around 40,000 – and the Bedzang, estimated at around 300 people. The Baka live above all in the eastern and southern regions of Cameroon. The Bakola and Bagyéli live in an area of around 12,000 km² in the south of Cameroon, particularly in the districts of Akom II, Bipindi, Kribi and Lolodorf. Finally, the Bedzang live in the central region, to the north-west of Mbam in the Ngambè Tikar region.

The Mbororo people living in Cameroon are estimated to number over one million and they make up approx. 12% of the population. They live primarily along the borders with Nigeria, Chad and the Central African Republic. Three major groups of Mbororo are found in Cameroon: the Wodaabe in the Northern Region; the Jafun, who live primarily in the North-West, West, Adamawa and Eastern Regions; and the Galegi, popularly known as the Aku, who live in the East, Adamawa, West and North-West and North Regions.

Cameroon voted in favor of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in 2007 but has not ratified ILO Convention 169.

This article is part of the 40^th edition of The Indigenous World, a yearly overview produced by IWGIA that serves to document and report on the developments Indigenous Peoples have experienced. Find The Indigenous World 2026 in full here

Policy and program

The 13^th session of the Inter-ministerial Committee on Oversight of Indigenous Peoples’ projects (CISPAV)

In 2025, the Inter-ministerial Committee on the Oversight of Indigenous Peoples’ Projects (CISPAV)^[1] continued its coordination role in harmonizing actions aimed at protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Cameroon. The 13^th session of CISPAV was held on 29 July 2025 in Yaoundé, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Social Affairs, Pauline Irène Nguene, who reaffirmed the Committee’s central role in monitoring government and partner initiatives dedicated to the inclusion of vulnerable Indigenous populations.

The 2025 session included discussions on the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to strengthen social protection, access to services, and the civic inclusion of Indigenous Peoples. Participants highlighted the opportunities offered by digital technologies to improve access to information, support the preservation of traditional knowledge, and strengthen community capacities, while stressing the importance of an ethical and inclusive approach to technological development.^[2]

Key recommendations emerging from the session included strengthening inter-sectorial coordination to improve the implementation of programs affecting Indigenous Peoples; leveraging AI to enhance access to education, identity documentation, and essential services, particularly in the context of the electoral year; and accelerating efforts to provide official identity documents, which remains a significant barrier to full citizenship and the exercise of civil rights for Indigenous populations.

The 2025 session of CISPAV therefore set important directions for future action, integrating innovative approaches aimed at addressing the contemporary challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples in Cameroon.

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

In Cameroon, International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples was celebrated in August 2025 in several localities as part of the global commemoration of 9 August, under the international theme “Indigenous Peoples and artificial intelligence: defending rights, shaping the future”.

In Yaoundé, the celebrations included a week-long training course on AI for Indigenous participants. Minister of Social Affairs Nguene emphasized the importance of ensuring that Indigenous Peoples benefit from the opportunities offered by AI, particularly in combating social exclusion and improving access to essential services. At the end of the training, certificates were awarded to participants, reflecting the State’s commitment to promoting the technological inclusion of Indigenous communities.^[3]

In parallel, civil society organizations, including Greenpeace Africa, organized cultural and public events in Yaoundé, notably at Bois Sainte Anastasie, bringing together Indigenous communities, traditional authorities, NGO representatives, government officials and youth around the theme of AI. These activities combined conferences, cultural performances and advocacy for the recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ territorial and cultural rights, highlighting their identity, their deep connection to their lands, and the urgency of concrete protective measures.^[4]

The celebrations provided a platform to raise awareness among the public and decision-makers of the importance of including Indigenous Peoples in technological and social development processes, while also drawing attention to the persistent challenges related to the recognition of their land, cultural and economic rights.

Peace and security

The security situation in the North-West and South-West (NOSO) regions remained concerning throughout 2025, an electoral year marked by heightened tensions. Since the outbreak of the crisis in 2016, confrontations between State security forces and non-State armed groups have continued to have serious repercussions for civilian populations. Attacks targeting schools, health facilities and other public infrastructure, as well as recurring “ghost town” operations, persisted, severely disrupting social and economic life. Indigenous Mbororo communities remain particularly exposed due to their geographic location, pastoral way of life and structural vulnerability.

An incident in November 2025 in Sabga illustrates the continuing insecurity faced by Indigenous communities. On 14 November 2025, armed assailants stormed a mosque during Friday prayers in Sabga, Tubah Subdivision, opening fire on worshippers. The attack resulted in the death of three people and left nine others injured. Several individuals were reportedly abducted but later rescued following the intervention of defence and security forces. The injured were evacuated to a regional hospital, with treatment costs reportedly covered by the State. In response, the authorities reinforced the security presence in the area, including establishing a gendarmerie post. While these measures were welcomed locally, the attack furthered fear among Mbororo populations already living under persistent insecurity.^[5]

More broadly, insecurity in the NOSO regions continues to restrict movement, limit access to education and healthcare, and weaken traditional livelihoods, particularly pastoralism. Mbororo communities report ongoing intimidation, cattle theft and forced displacement, further increasing their socio-economic vulnerability. Ensuring peace and protection for Indigenous populations remains a major challenge in 2025, and civil society organizations continue to call for inclusive security approaches that address the specific risks faced by these communities.

Gender-based violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) continues to disproportionately affect Indigenous women and girls, particularly in isolated rural areas of the East Region of Cameroon. Baka communities report an increase in cases of sexual violence involving minors, revealing structural vulnerabilities linked to poverty, geographic isolation, limited access to justice, and unequal power relations between communities.

In 2025, multiple cases of rape involving Baka girls were documented in Makalaya and nearby villages in Mindourou subdivision. Reported cases include the rape of Abouchili from Nombakele, allegedly committed by Bidja Paul, who remains on the run; the assault of Ekossona Sandrine from Makalaya, with the alleged perpetrator, Ebongue Jean, held at the Atok brigade; the rape of Ekoussou Marie-Jeanne, whose alleged attacker is also reportedly on the run while her family has sought legal support through community organizations; and the assault of Mboans Nguélé Babeth, in which the accused are currently detained in New Bell prison in Douala. One of the child victims later died at home following the violence suffered. Despite attempts in some cases to negotiate informal settlements, families and community actors have pursued legal action, underscoring both the severity of the crimes and the communities’ demands for justice.^[6]

These events highlight the urgent need to strengthen the protection of Indigenous children and ensure effective access to justice for victims, including through adapted prevention and response mechanisms.

Civil society initiatives

In 2025, several civil society organizations continued their advocacy efforts to protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples through local workshops held in Bertoua and Batouri in Eastern Cameroon. In Bertoua, a meeting organized by REPALEAC (Network of Indigenous and Local Populations for the Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems in Cameroon) and OKANI strengthened awareness among Indigenous communities about their human rights while taking into account their socio-cultural realities. Participants highlighted persistent land insecurity, crop destruction, and natural resource exploitation as major drivers of rights violations. The principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) was reaffirmed as a fundamental requirement for any initiative affecting Indigenous territories and livelihoods. Discussions also emphasized the State’s responsibility in preventing violations, combating discrimination, and implementing international commitments, alongside the need to build community capacity in documenting violations and conducting advocacy, particularly for women and vulnerable groups.

The joint Association Sanguia Baka Buma'a Kpode (ASBABUK)/Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) workshop held in Batouri focused on the full recognition of Baka Indigenous Peoples as legitimate stakeholders in forest resource management. Exchanges stressed the importance of equitable and sustainable access to natural resources, including non-timber forest products, to secure community livelihoods. Participants called for the translation of existing institutional commitments into concrete and accessible action plans. The active involvement of Indigenous communities in forest monitoring and governance was identified as a key tool for environmental protection and combating illegal activities. The promotion of traditional knowledge and the establishment of accessible grievance mechanisms were also presented as essential to preventing conflict and strengthening social justice.^[7]

Hawe Hamman Bouba is Commissioner for Human Rights at the Cameroon Human Rights Commission. She is an expert member of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities and Minorities in Africa of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and she is Executive President of the African Indigenous Women Organization Central African Network (AIWO-CAN).

This article is part of the 40^th edition of The Indigenous World, a yearly overview produced by IWGIA that serves to document and report on the developments Indigenous Peoples have experienced. Find The Indigenous World 2026 in full here

Notes and references

^[1] The concerns of Indigenous Peoples are examined within the framework of the Inter-ministerial Committee on the Oversight of Indigenous Peoples’ Projects (CISPAV). This was created through a Ministerial Act in 2013 to coordinate and harmonize all the actions of various stakeholders involved in the promotion and protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

^[2] Cameroun-l’IA au service des peuples autochtones : la 13ème session du Cispav pose les jalons d’un avenir inclusif https://237infos.net/cameroun-lia-au-service-des-peuples-autochtones-la-13eme-session-du-cispav-pose-les-jalons-dun-avenir-inclusif/

^[3] Excerpt from the Minister’s speech on 9 August 2025 during the commemoration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

^[4]Journée internationale des peuples autochtones: Greenpeace Afrique célèbre l’identité et la résilience à Yaoundé, Luchelle Feukeng, 11 August 2025, https://www.greenpeace.org/africa/fr/communique-de-presse/58558/journee-internationale-des-peuples-autochtones-greenpeace-afrique-celebre-lidentite-et-la-resilience-a-yaounde/

^[5] Interview with M. Ousman Haman.

^[6] Hélène Ayé Mondo, Executive President of the Centre for support for sustainable development of the Baka Peoples (CADDAP), Jean Marie Boleka Facilitator at the Centre for support for sustainable development of the Baka Peoples (CADDAP)

^[7] Jean Marie Boleka Facilitator at the Centre for support for sustainable development of the Baka Peoples (CADDAP)

Tags: Global governance