By Efuetji Mary Nkemngong
The bustling streets of major Cameroonian cities like Yaoundé, Buea, Douala, and Limbe have recently been marred by an unsightly and hazardous crisis: the unchecked accumulation of mountains of garbage, also known as Poubelle in the French language. This surge in poor waste management has not only transformed public spaces into eyesores but has also unleashed a wave of severe air pollution, posing significant health risks to the inhabitants.
The environmental and health implications are dire, with experts like Seth Ekwadi, Cameroon’s South West Regional Delegate for the Environment, warning of long-term water contamination due to leachate seeping into the groundwater and infiltrating the water floor. Fonge Beatrice, a Professor in Plant Ecology and Hydrobiology, further cautioned about the release of harmful toxins that could disrupt hormonal balances and create fertile ground for challenging health infections.
In the face of apparent local authorities’ inaction and long-ignored complaints, a novel form of civic engagement emerged, fueled by the power of new media. Cameroonian celebrities and influential youths, including Senior Pastor, De Oracle, Forchur, amongst others, took to social media platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok to launch the “#poubelle challenge“ (Garbage challenge). This initiative involved individuals, often posing elegantly amidst the towering piles of dirt, sharing these striking and unsettling images with the hashtag “#Poubelle”. The visual contrast between the beauty of the individuals and the squalor of their backdrop served as a potent symbol of the environmental neglect, capturing widespread attention and generating considerable public concern. “Having resided in Cameroon’s one time cleanest city, Limbe, for over 30 years,” Senior Pastor lamented, “it was appalling to see the amount of filth littered on the streets” Senior Pastor, who is also a comedian added that, “Social media was the most efficient way we resolved to call local authorities’ attention,”
The digital outcry proved remarkably effective in jolting authorities into action. Faced with the viral spread of these images and the accompanying public pressure, administrators in various municipalities were compelled to address the burgeoning waste crisis. Reports indicate that following the peak of the “poubelle challenge” in mid-February and early April 2025, significant clean-up operations were initiated in several cities. In Yaoundé, Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute issued a two-week ultimatum in February 2025 to municipalities and sanitation partners, demanding a comprehensive cleanup plan for the capital, which was particularly affected by the waste accumulation.
Cameroon’s leading waste management company in urban centres, Hygiene and Sanitation of Cameroon (HYSACAM) responded by presenting 10 new trucks to the Mayor of Yaoundé on April 4, 2025, as part of a FCFA 5 billion logistics renewal program supported by a local bank. The company announced plans to deploy a total of 80 new trucks, with an initial 20 destined for Yaoundé and Douala. This move was aimed at supporting the urgent waste management operation and to restore regular collection services in neighbourhoods, with a goal to systematically implement door-to-door collection in Yaoundé within two months.
The “poubelle challenge” exemplifies the potent role of new media in driving social change. It highlights how social media platforms can transcend traditional barriers of communication, enabling citizens to voice their concerns and mobilise collective action with unprecedented speed and reach. “The visual impact of the challenge amplified by the social media algorithms and the influence of celebrities”, Senior Pastor said, “effectively bypassed conventional media channels and directly engaged a broad segment of the population”. “This direct engagement”, the comedian continued, “exerted significant pressure on authorities, demonstrating the capacity of digital activism to hold power accountable”.
Beyond the ‘Poubelle Challenge,’ social media is increasingly becoming a platform for social and political discourse. In Cameroon, according to Dr. Desmond Ngalla, Country Director of Civic Watch Association, “Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and X have become key avenues for citizens to express opinions, share information about government actions, and organise advocacy efforts”, he said. “While the government has, at times, viewed social media with distrust even labelling it a “new form of terrorism” in the past”, Ngalla went on, “the ‘Poubelle challenge’ underscores its undeniable power as a tool for civic engagement and a catalyst for addressing pressing societal issues”,
The waste management crisis in Cameroon is a multifaceted problem stemming from a combination of factors, including inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints faced by municipalities, and rapid urbanisation. The annual generation of municipal solid waste in Cameroon is estimated to be around 6 million tons, a figure that often exceeds the capacity of local authorities to manage effectively. This situation is further compounded by issues such as limited equipment, poor household waste segregation practices, and, at times, a lack of consistent funding for waste collection services.
The health consequences of poor waste management are well-documented globally. “The unhygienic conditions created by uncollected waste can lead to the spread of numerous waterborne diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, and vector-borne illnesses like malaria and dengue fever,” Dr Ehuh Exarc said. Corroborating the WHO, he lamented that “Children are particularly vulnerable to these health risks, which can result in malnutrition, stunted growth, and increased rates of respiratory illnesses”. Furthermore, the open burning of waste, a common practice in areas with inadequate waste management systems, releases harmful pollutants into the air, contributing to respiratory problems and other health issues.
The success of the “Poubelle challenge” in prompting a response from municipal authorities offers a compelling case study in the power of new media to instigate social change. It demonstrates how citizen-led initiatives, amplified by social media, can effectively raise awareness, mobilise public pressure, and ultimately compel authorities to address critical issues affecting public health and the environment. As Cameroon continues to grapple with the challenges of waste management and governance, the role of new media as a tool for accountability and civic engagement is likely to become increasingly significant.
