Cameroon: Protest amid ongoing teacher strike in Yaoundé Feb. 28

Event

Around 5000 teachers from different parts of the country are expected to take to the streets of the capital Yaoundé on Wednesday, February 28, amid an ongoing teacher strike launched the day prior. Protesters are expected to march to the Ministry of Secondary Education, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Civil Service and Administrative Reform and stage sit-ins in front of the buildings. Increased security measures and traffic disruptions are to be anticipated in the vicinity of the gatherings; violent clashes cannot be ruled out. Further street protests are possible.

Hundreds of protesters were reportedly arrested during the first day of the strike.

Context

Teachers are demanding the payment of overdue salaries and bonuses and are denouncing what they perceive as teacher discrimination.

Advice

Individuals present in Yaoundé are advised to monitor developments to the situation and avoid all protests due to the potential for violence.

On a separate note, due to the high threat of terrorism, individuals present in Cameroon are advised to avoid all travel to the entire Far North region, as well as Mayo-Louti department (North region) and the borders with Nigeria, Chad, and the Central African Republic. Nonessential travel to the rest of North region and Adamawa region is also advised against. In the rest of the country, especially in the cities of Yaoundé and Douala, individuals are advised to be vigilant in regard to urban crime and the underlying terrorist threat.