Cameroon

Overview

Cameroon’s population is just over 24 million. Although reliable statistics are difficult to find, a number of communities accounting for approximately 14% of the population self-identify as indigenous. These indigenous peoples include the hunter/gatherers (Pygmies), the Mbororo pastoralists and the Kirdi.

The Constitution of the Republic of Cameroon uses the terms indigenous and minorities in its preamble; however, it is not clear to whom this refers. Nevertheless, with recent developments in international law, civil society and the governmentare increasingly adopting the term indigenous to refer to the above-mentioned groups.

Cameroon voted in favour of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in 2007 but has not ratified ILO Convention 169.

International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, The Indigenous World 2019

Indigenous Peoples and Minority Populations

Bagyeli · Baka · Bakola · Bedzang

An appeal for assistance from Cameroonian communities resisting the Herakles Farms palm oil projects

Colonial-era borders meet 21st century indigenous displacement in West Africa’s Bakassi Peninsula

Herakles abandons all operations in Mundemba and Toko concession areas, Cameroon

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