Country Technical Note on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues in the Republic of Cameroon

The Republic of Cameroon has a multi-ethnic population, with the Baka, Bagyéli/Bakola, Bedzang, Montagnards and Mbororo identifying as Indigenous Peoples. In general, they have suffered from discrimination and land dispossession, forcing many to become sedentary and give up their traditional livelihoods.

Statistics show that the regions with the worst health and education records are those with the largest indigenous populations. They struggle to access to public services due to their geographical remoteness, semi-nomadic lifestyles, low levels of literacy and lack of ID cards. Indigenous women and children are particularly vulnerable.

The Indigenous Peoples of Cameroon have seen their traditional knowledge and skills being disvalued and their cultural values being replaced by new ones. Revised Land and Forest laws should take the rights of indigenous peoples into consideration.