Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram (BH) attacks continued: BH 8 July attacked gendarmerie post in Zina; 11 July attacked military post in Bonderi; 24-25 July launched large attack on Bargaram killing 10 Cameroonian soldiers. Attack in Kolofata 27 July left 16 dead, 20 kidnapped including wife of Deputy PM Amadou Ali and Mayor-local religious leader “Lamido” of Kolofata. 22 BH sentenced to prison by Maroua military court 24 July. Troop levels along Nigeria border increased by 3000. Refugee influx from Nigeria continued: influx from CAR causing tensions in east.

Security operations against Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram (BH) continued in Far North region: state media reported at least 60 BH killed by military early June; at least 94 suspected BH including arms dealer arrested in Fotokol, Kousseri and Amchidé. President Biya early June replaced governor of Far North. 3 western Catholic clerics kidnapped in April released 1 June in Amchidé.

Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram (BH) attacks near Nigerian border continued including attack on gendarmerie in Fotokol early May, senior BH leader Aladji Moustapha freed. BH 16 May attacked Chinese construction company near Waza, killed 1 soldier, reportedly abducted 10 Chinese workers. President Biya agreed to step up regional security cooperation, 17 May declared war against BH at security summit in Paris, 22 May met Chad President Deby to discuss concerted actions; 900 troops deployed to Far North 25-26 May. Cross-border attacks from CAR continued despite presence of international and national security forces: 18 abducted 2 May close to Garoua Boulai; govt 5 May said abductees freed by security forces.

Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram (BH) suspected of kidnapping 2 Italian priests, 1 Canadian nun in Far North Diamaré district 4 April. Security forces deployed to area; 3 alleged BH members killed 14 April in Amchidé. BH believed to be actively continuing recruitment in Far North; 60 suspected BH arrested. At least 20 reported dead and thousands displaced 24 April following clash between local farmers and Nigerian herders in Menchum district, NW.

Army 2 March clashed with Nigerian Islamist Boko Haram (BH) members in far north following deadly BH attack on Mafa town: 6 militants, 1 soldier killed. BH suspected of recruiting members in Kousseri. Authorities 27 March arrested 3 suspected arms dealers reportedly linked to BH, seized cache including rocket launchers. President Biya 5 March instructed army chief to reorganise border security; govt 20 March announced deployment of 700 troops to NE border, part of regional force established by Lake Chad Basin Commission to tackle armed groups. Over 500 prisoners released following Biya’s Feb amnesty, including former minister Seidou Monchipou.

UNHCR 21 Feb reported almost 20,000 CAR refugees crossed into Cameroon in Feb. Over 5,000 Cameroonian citizens reportedly repatriated from CAR so far as result of crisis. President Biya 18 Feb granted amnesty to prisoners charged with alleged corruption; French citizen Thierry Michel Atangana, detained since 1997, released.

120 additional police deployed to border region following 31 Dec attack on Ondikiby by CAR militants. Clashes between CAR armed groups spilled over border in Garoua-Boulai district 20 Jan; Cameroon army killed 6 including 3 CAR soldiers. Military police confirmed Cameroonian forces 15 Jan repelled Nigerian Boko Haram fighters who tried to cross border; 5 killed.

Nigerian Islamist Sect Boko Haram (BH) 14 Dec attacked Kousseri town, leaving 2 dead; far-north governor imposed curfew in border areas, especially Mayo Sava, Mayo Tsanaga, Logone and Chari subdistricts. Armed groups from CAR 5 Dec perpetrated separate attacks in Ondiki and Bombe-Bakary, injuring 3 Rapid Intervention Battalion soldiers. Govt 18 Dec deployed troops to reinforce MISCA in CAR. Nigerian military 20 Dec confirmed army barracks attacked by BH in Bama, Borno came from cells located across border in Cameroon. French priest Georges Vandenbeusch abducted Nov by BH freed 31 Dec.

Boko Haram 13 Nov kidnapped French Catholic priest in Mayo Moskota in far north, demanded liberation of members imprisoned in Cameroon; govt sent 3 Lamidos (traditional chiefs) to start negotiations. Defence Minister Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo’o 16 Nov said army clashed with unidentified assailants from CAR in Gbiti in East. 5 assailants and 2 Cameroonians killed; 17 assailants arrested, suspected of belonging to rebel Front démocratique du Peuple centrafricain (FDPC) seeking liberation of general Abdoulaye Miskine arrested in Sept. Govt deployed additional 700 gendarmes, 2 support battalions and 2 helicopters. Unidentified CAR rebels 25 Nov killed 1 Cameroonian, kidnapped 3 children in Beke village near CAR border.

Ruling People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) won 148 of 180 seats in 30 Sept legislative elections, gained control of 305 of 360 councils. Boko Haram militants 28 Oct attacked military checkpoint on Bama-Banki road close to Nigerian border, 4 security operatives killed.