FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 11, 2025
The Digital Rights Alliance Africa (DRAA) – a network of non-government organisations that champions the digital civic space and counters threats to digital rights on the continent – is deeply concerned by the most recent internet disruptions by the Cameroonian government.
We express deep concern over, and strongly condemn, the ongoing internet disruptions in Cameroon, particularly in the Northwest and Southwest regions. These disruptions have compounded the hardships faced by citizens, who are already struggling with insecurity and restrictions on movement, association, and expression due to the prolonged crisis in these regions.
Shutting down or restricting access to the internet is never a legitimate response to social or political challenges. On the contrary, such measures further isolate communities, disrupt access to critical information, and erode trust between citizens and the state. The consequences are far-reaching: businesses are losing vital income, students are unable to continue their education, healthcare services are hampered, and journalists cannot effectively report on developments that concern public safety and governance.
At a time when the people of the Northwest and Southwest are already burdened by lockdowns imposed by separatist groups and in preparation for the upcoming elections in October this year, cutting them off from digital lifelines only worsens economic decline and deepens human suffering. Internet disruptions deny citizens their fundamental rights to freedom of expression, access to information, association, and peaceful assembly rights enshrined in the Cameroonian Constitution and protected under regional and international human rights instruments to which Cameroon is a party.
We therefore call on the Government of Cameroon to:
- Immediately restore full and unrestricted internet access across all affected regions.
- Refrain from using internet disruptions as a tool of control during political or security crises.
- Uphold its obligations under regional and international human rights law, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
- Commit to ending the use of internet disruptions as a tool of control or censorship and democratic participation.
- Prioritise dialogue and rights-respecting approaches in addressing the ongoing conflict and governance challenges.
- Engage in meaningful dialogue with civil society, media, and other stakeholders to address grievances without resorting to repressive measures.
- Ensure accountability and transparency in the management of telecommunication infrastructure and services.
We stand in solidarity with the people of Cameroon whose lives, work, and rights are being interrupted by these internet disruptions. The people of Cameroon deserve an open, secure, and accessible internet that allows them to learn, work, communicate, and participate in democratic life. Governments must recognise that access to the internet is a lifeline, not a lever of repression. Denying this access does not solve problems; it only deepens them.
Signed by the Digital Rights Alliance Africa (DRAA)
About Digital Rights Alliance Africa (DRAA)
The Digital Rights Alliance Africa is a network of traditional NGOs, media, lawyers and tech specialists from across Africa that seeks to champion digital civic space and counter threats to digital rights on the continent. The Alliance was created by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) and the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) in response to the rising digital authoritarianism in the region. It currently has members from 11 countries, who collectively monitor, engage in research, advocacy, share strategies for navigating digital threats and promote digital policy reforms in line with their shared vision outlined in the outcome declaration endorsed in 2023.For more information about DRAA’s work and digital rights advocacy in Africa, visit their website