27/08/2026
Cameroon Security Chiefs Under Pressure as Femicide, Infanticide Cases Rise
Cameroon’s top defence and security officials are under growing pressure to take concrete action against the rising cases of femicide and infanticide reported across the country.
The issue featured prominently at a high-level security meeting in Yaoundé on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, chaired by Defence Minister Joseph Beti Assomo on the instructions of President Paul Biya. The meeting focused on growing security concerns, including attacks targeting women and children, particularly in major urban centres.
Those in attendance included Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji, Delegate General for National Security Martin Mbarga Nguele, Chief of Defence Staff Lieutenant-General René Claude Meka, senior gendarmerie officials and military commanders.
The officials reviewed a range of security threats, including femicide, infanticide, terrorism, kidnappings, urban and rural violence and other forms of insecurity.
However, no immediate measures to address the killings of women and children were announced publicly after the meeting. Instead, recommendations are expected to be submitted to President Biya for further instructions.
The lack of clearly outlined measures has raised questions over the government’s response to the growing violence. With public concern mounting over the repeated killing of women and children, pressure is building on security institutions to move beyond meetings and expressions of concern.
The authorities are increasingly being called upon to strengthen preventive measures, improve investigations and ensure greater protection for women and children, who remain among the most vulnerable victims of violence.
