Gunmen 6 July abducted 3 Filipino fishermen and 2 Ukrainian mechanics off coast. 4 foreign oil workers freed 19 July after 3 months in captivity, leaving 7 still captive. Reports link captors to armed group Bakassi Freedom Fighters. President Biya started 4-day visit to France 21 July to discuss bilateral relations.

Officials from Cameroon, Nigeria met with UNSG Ban 17 June to discuss remaining steps for handover of Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon, reportedly focusing on dispute over demarcation of common border. President Biya 30 June undertook major cabinet reshuffle, replacing PM Inoni with Philemon Yang and changing 9 other ministers; no reason given. Govt continued anti-corruption Operation Sparrowhawk: Energy Minister Alphonse Siyam Siwe sentenced to life 11 June for embezzling $75m during tenure as administrator of Douala port; 12 others also sentenced.

Main opposition party SDF boycotted 20 May National Day commemoration of reunification, in continuing protest against lack of democratic freedoms, urged all Cameroonians to join non-violent protest. 2 opposition politicians arrested in Douala 19 May after earlier criticizing National Day; charges unclear. Govt and French PM Fillon during 20-22 May visit signed “new generation” defence agreement, which now excludes provisions for French military intervention.

Leader of northern rebel group MLPC arrested in Nigeria 22 Apr, transferred to Cameroon, for plotting to overthrow President Biya. Former ambassador to U.S. and communications minister detained for embezzlement as Biya continued high-profile anti-corruption campaign. Govt 6 Apr announced plans to resolve border issues relating to Bakassi Peninsula, transferred from Nigerian control Aug 2008.

Unidentified armed group kidnapped 6 foreign oil workers off Bakassi peninsula 14 March; govt announced release 16 March, independent sources denied. Former national airlines company head Paul Ngamo Hamani 17 March charged with embezzling over $250m, as President Biya continued anti-corruption campaign.

Chairman of opposition Social Democratic Front (SDF), Fru Ndi, 1 Feb lashed out at composition of electoral commission formed by President and dominated by ruling CPDM members, vowing to obstruct 2011 polls, warning of national “bloodbath”. EU 9 Feb issued call for electoral commission’s impartiality. FM 19 Feb warned diplomats to stop criticising ELECAM.

Relations with Equatorial Guinea deteriorated after EG army killed 1 Cameroonian fisherman in Dec, arrested 3 others 6 Jan, for alleged intrusion into EG waters. Cameroon followed 11 Jan with arrest of 3 EG soldiers in southern town Kribi; prisoners exchanged 12 Jan. Pirates in Cameroonian waters attacked Greek vessels 24 Jan, killing 1. Opposition, civil society denounced President Biya’s 30 Dec appointment of former members of ruling party CPDM to all but one of electoral commission seats; Supreme Court 27 Jan rejected call by main opposition party SDF to cancel nominations.

Rebel group Bakassi Freedom Fighters 12 Dec threatened to renew attacks on oil vessels if no negotiations opened within 15 days. 9 activists, 2 journalists arrested and reportedly beaten 10 Dec by police in crackdown on hundreds- strong rally by farmers protesting corruption in agriculture ministry.

Rebel group Bakassi Freedom Fighters 11 Nov released all 10 hostages taken in 31 Oct offshore attack on French oil vessel, reportedly in exchange for 13 Niger Delta rebels detained in Cameroon. President Biya met French officials 21 Nov to discuss military assistance in securing Bakassi area.

Parliament voted 17 Apr to remove presidential term limits, clearing way for President Biya to continue 26-year rule past 2011. Opposition groups protested: SDF boycotted debate; case against Biya by opposition AMEC thrown out of Supreme Court.