Cameroon in 2026 is marked by significant political and social issues. The upcoming legislative and municipal elections are generating passionate debates, while corruption cases within the police force surface, and the fight against HIV continues to mobilize health actors.
Joseph Emmanuel Ateba, National Secretary for Communication of the Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC), views the upcoming legislative and municipal elections as a "last opportunity" to overthrow Paul Biya's regime through the ballot box. These elections are expected to be held in 2026, although President Biya has mentioned a slight postponement.
In another matter, Divisional Commissioner Oumarou, head of the Littoral Regional Division of the Judicial Police (DRPJ), has been dismissed from his duties. He is suspected of embezzling a shipment of drugs seized in Douala, estimated to be worth 600 million FCFA. The drugs reportedly disappeared while supposed to be destroyed. Divisional Commissioner Alain Camille Nguen Sany was appointed interim head of the Littoral judicial police on February 25, 2025.
At the same time, the fight against HIV remains a priority. Under the leadership of the First Lady, Chantal Biya, the NGO African Synergies organized a meeting in Ngaoundéré for the sustainability of the PETVISIDAME project, aimed at eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Interventions carried out between 2020 and 2025 show encouraging results, with 98% of HIV-positive pregnant women on treatment and a residual transmission rate of 0.45% in infants. The Minister of Public Health, Malachie Manaouda, called for renewed mobilization in the face of threats related to the suspension of American subsidies for the fight against HIV. In 2024, approximately 2 million Cameroonians tested positive for HIV, and more than 499,000 are on antiretroviral treatment.
These recent events highlight the challenges Cameroon faces in 2026, ranging from political issues to corruption problems and public health imperatives.
