As Cameroon gears up for its pivotal presidential election in October 2025, the United Nations Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa (UNCHRD-CA) has been carrying out a series of workshops to equip civil society organisations (CSOs) with the tools to monitor and safeguard human rights during the electoral process. The initiative, in partnership with the Cameroon Human Rights Commission (CHRC), aims to foster transparent, inclusive, and peaceful elections by strengthening the capacities of local CSOs.
The workshops form part of UNCHRD-CA’s 2025 Annual Work Plan, which emphasises promoting human rights in electoral contexts. With the presidential poll scheduled for October, the sessions highlight the critical need for respecting fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and political participation.
The second workshop in the series took place in Buea on 28-29 August 2025, bringing together around 30 participants from CSOs actively involved in community mobilisation. The agenda featured a mix of presentations, group work, and discussions designed to build practical skills. Participants explored the role of civil society in developing a human rights-based electoral observation guide. They were also drilled in election monitoring techniques.
On day two, focus shifted to gender, youth, and electoral inclusion with Sanaa Makanga from UNCHRD-CA, and reporting rights violations again by Fonyuy. The latter part of day two was dedicated to finalising and validating a practical guide on elections monitoring and observations.
Speaking to the press, Kiven Fonyuy, Programmes Officer at UNCHRD-CA and lead trainer, underscored the specialised role of human rights-focused CSOs. “Civil society organisations have a specific role to play during elections, involving monitoring the conduct of the electoral process and human rights,” he said in an interview. “To effectively monitor human rights, there are specific guidelines to follow. It’s not just about general election observation; it’s a complex process from pre-election to post-election periods.” Fonyuy highlighted the state’s responsibility to guarantee freedoms like expression, association, movement, and assembly, warning that failures here could undermine the process. He added that CSOs must report violations and offer recommendations for improvement.
Participant Nji Lucas, a human rights defender and CEO of Recover and Rehabilitate for a Better Tomorrow, described the workshop as “wonderful” and insightful. Lucas pointed out challenges in the field, particularly amid security concerns. “Many members find this difficult, despite the training. But as determined human rights defenders, we must proceed,” he explained, calling on the state to ensure security and mobility on election day, when vehicle restrictions apply except for accredited observers.
A key takeaway for Lucas was enhancing inclusivity, especially for vulnerable groups. “I now have a better understanding of the voting process for people with visual impairments,” he shared. “The long-standing practice of having a ‘trustworthy’ person assist them is a bad practice. A visually impaired person is supposed to use a braille ballot to make their own informed choice.” He welcomed ELECAM’s commitment to providing English braille ballots in the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions, addressing past complaints about French versions.
The workshops align with broader objectives outlined in the concept note, including increasing understanding of international standards and national laws on human rights in elections, clarifying CSO roles, promoting gender equality, preventing violations, and jointly creating a tailored observation guide.
The series began in Bafoussam on 21-22 August and will conclude in Yaoundé on 4-5 September 2025.
By Andrew Nsoseka
