Security forces 6 Nov violently dispersed some one thousand opposition supporters in Douala protesting against President Biya’s 3 decades in power. Opposition grouping “G7” 10 Nov announced end of opposition coalition. UN/Nigerian/ Cameroonian Joint Technical Team 23 Nov announced suspension of maritime boundary demarcation process following protests by displaced Bakassi people.

Court 22 Sept sentenced former minister Marafa Hamidou Yaya, seen as potential successor to President Biya, to 25 years prison for embezzlement. Central African Republic rebels 23 Sept attacked border post in attempt to free comrades held in Cameroon; 3 killed including 1 rebel.

New Bakassi Self-determination Front (BSDF) rebel group mostly composed of Nigerian Ijaw fishermen 10 Aug declared Bakassi peninsula independent. Police 11 Aug denied newly-created opposition coalition Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) leaders access to press conference in Yaoundé; CRM 15 Aug held second press conference in private office but event again disrupted by police forces.

Opposition welcomed 30 May govt announcement postponing local elections to July 2013, but reiterated demands for single ballot, two-round election and use of biometric checks.

Following postponement of elections originally scheduled July 2012 and adoption of new electoral code, opposition parties 12 May agreed to boycott 20 May national day celebrations. Fears of spillover from conflict in Nigeria exacerbated by 4 May shootout with suspected Boko Haram gunmen in border town of Banki; incident follows 12 April attack which left 5 dead in same town; regional leaders 1 May called on Cameroon to re-integrate joint deterrence force of Lake Chad Basin Commission (CBLT) to tackle Boko Haram threat.

National Assembly 2 April postponed legislative elections scheduled for July 2012. Police 16 April arrested former PM Inoni Ephraim and ex-Minister for Territorial Administration Hamidou Yaya on charges of corruption sparking fears of unrest as Yaya seen as potential successor to President Biya. Govt 13 April adopted new electoral code in vote boycotted by opposition, criticised by civil society groups. Fears regional insecurity spilling into north Cameroon as 10 April attack by Boko Haram in border town Banki left 11 dead, including 3 Cameroonians; govt deployed additional forces on border.

Govt, Nigeria 28 Feb signed agreement establishing joint border security committee as part of measures to restrict crossing of insurgents, security elements.

Opposition, civil society groups 14 Feb called for dissolution of national elections body (ELECAM) over reported lack of credibility, ‘absolute subordination’ to President Biya. Cameroon-Nigeria border remained sealed over fear Boko Haram using northern parts of Cameroon as rear base.

Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram reportedly infiltrated Cameroon; govt deployed 600 soldiers near Nigeria border. Security forces deployed in Douala early Jan following clashes between motorbike taxi drivers and Deido district residents, reportedly over stabbing of resident by taxi driver 31 Dec.

Security forces early-Nov arrested Cameroonian People’s Liberation Army leader Rev Bertin Kisob, suspected of ordering 9 Oct killing of 2 gendarmes in Bakassi Peninsula and 29 Sept attack on Douala bridge. National anti-corruption commission 13 Nov issued report accusing several ministries of mismanagement, embezzlement. UNSG Ban praised Cameroon, Nigeria for implementation of ICJ ruling on Bakassi peninsula border dispute.