Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a pan-African digital rights organization, has condemned ongoing internet access restrictions in Cameroon, describing them as a violation of fundamental rights amid a tense post-election climate.
In a statement issued on Thursday, PIN said internet disruptions have been reported across Cameroon since Oct. 23, 2025, interfering with freedom of expression and access to information ahead of the official announcement of presidential election results from the Oct. 12 polls.
The group recalled that it had raised concerns as early as April 15, 2025, about the deteriorating state of digital rights in Cameroon and urged authorities to safeguard internet access and transparency during the electoral process.
“These disruptions are a violation of Articles 9 and 19 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the Cameroon Constitution,” the statement said.
PIN cited Principle 38(2) of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Declaration, which prohibits states from disrupting internet access for any segment of the population. It also referenced ACHPR Resolution 580, which calls on African states to refrain from internet shutdowns during elections.
The organization warned that such disruptions undermine the integrity of the electoral process by silencing citizens, journalists, and civil society actors.
PIN called on the government of Cameroon to immediately restore full internet and social media access, and urged Internet Service Providers to disclose any government directives related to the shutdowns and resume services.
“The telecom operators and regulators in Cameroon have contractual obligations to maintain reliable internet access and are responsible for notifying their clients of the causes of internet disruptions,” the group stated.
