Leader of outlawed Anglophone self-determination movement SCNC Nfor Ngala Nfor 8 July demanded release of 50 SCNC members allegedly detained arbitrarily. EU 15 July granted EUR4mn for infrastructure in Bakassi peninsula, peace-building and regional integration activities.

Work on construction and rehabilitation of road linking Cameroon and Nigeria launched 17 June, part of effort to strengthen economic ties, improve mutual confidence and implement 2006 Green Tree Accord resolving Bakassi peninsular dispute.

Riot police 3 May clashed with demonstrators accusing govt of 22 Apr death in prison of journalist Bibi Ngota. 2 foreign vessels attacked 16 May in Douala bay; 3 Russians, 1 Lithuanian taken hostage; attack blamed on Nigerian MEND movement. Russian ambassador 24 May started negotiations with captors. Cameroon-Nigeria mixed commission 3 May started further demarcation of boundaries mandated by 2002 ICJ decision.

Govt ordered inquiry into 22 Apr death of journalist Bibi Ngota jailed for fraud 10 March; rights groups said Ngota was refused medical care.

Govt 18 March announced 19 soldiers of elite Rapid Battalion Force for Delta had been convicted for “acts of brutality against civilians” following 23 Feb clashes in Bakassi Peninsula in which 24 civilians injured. Insecurity continued off Bakassi coast, with 7 Chinese sailors captured 15 March by previously unknown gang Africa Marine Commando and released 3 days later; Nigerian boat and 2 crew also briefly captured 27 March, with same group suspected. UNHCR High Commissioner António Guterres 18 March reported rise in refugees from CAR in eastern Cameroon, with 80,000 arriving since 2003; called for increased international assistance.

Leader of opposition NODYNA party Mboua Massock and colleague arrested 27 Jan during protest march to highlight 12 electoral demands ahead of 2011 presidential polls, including respect for presidential term limits. Govt anti-corruption campaign ‘Operation Epervier’ resumed, as police 6 and 8 Jan arrested several senior current and former govt officials, including ruling CPDM former ministers Haman Adama Halimatou and Roger Ntongo Onguene, on embezzlement charges.

Govt repression of critical voices continued, with editor of private weekly Germinal arrested 10 Dec and charged with “tarnishing President Biya’s honour” over 2001 report on alleged deal between Biya and former president Ahidjo. Local news reported 12 deaths, 19 attacks over Nov in ongoing violence by criminal gangs composed of Cameroonian rebels and disgruntled soldiers from Chad and CAR. Cross-border insecurity, transnational crime reportedly high on agenda during 7-8 Dec talks between Biya and CAR President Bozizé. Bakassi Freedom Fighters claimed responsibility for 19 Dec waterborne attack on police convoy, killing 1 officer.

Ruling RDPC officials issued several statements affirming support for President Biya’s candidacy in 2011 elections, in apparent effort to dissipate questions over Biya’s grip on power fuelled by his repeated stays abroad. Turmoil within opposition SDF party intensified: further reports late Oct that leader John Fru Ndi had halted active leadership; senior official 13 Nov defected to RDPC. EU diplomat 13 Nov denounced electoral commission as biased. Chad 19 Nov accused Cameroon of violating 1970 border accords, as bilateral tensions mounted following alleged attack by Chadian forces on Cameroonian village along Lake Chad in Oct. Joint security commission opened 19 Nov in Maroua.

5 foreign workers abducted July by suspected Bakassi Freedom Fighters (BFF) freed 13 Aug. Govt forces 3 Aug shot dead 4 armed men thought linked to Niger Delta militants off Cameroonian coast. BFF Commander Ebi Dari resigned 11 Aug, reportedly over infighting, and apologised for terrorising region. Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Cameroon 7 Aug announced commitment to joint operations to combat insecurity in Gulf of Guinea. Govt human rights commission 12 Aug issued report condemning arbitrary arrests by security forces and “draconian” prison conditions.