Calls grow for US to reassess relationship with Cameroon amid tension.

The US lawmaker has said it is time for the US to fundamentally reassess its relationship with Cameroon.

In a post on X (formally twitter), on Tuesday, November 4, Sen Jim Risch described the re-election of 92-year-old Paul Biya as a sham, stating that the regime of Paul Biya staged the election that was held on October 12.

“The corrupt Biya regime in Cameroon hunts its political opponents, enables Wagner's illicit activities, and has created conditions for jihadist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS to thrive and fuel the Anglophone crisis,” he said. 

Senator Jim Risch also added that: “The regime has staged a sham re-election and unlawfully detained American citizens, including those from Idaho”.

According to him, Cameroon is not a U.S. partner and in its current state poses significant economic and security risk to the American people. 

“It's time to reassess this relationship before the blowback gets worse," he wrote. 

Senator Jim Risch’s remark comes amid growing international criticism over the country’s post-election climate marked by protests, arrest and allegations of electoral fraud, with U.S. representatives condemning the Cameroonian government for the post-election violence.

Reuters news agency reported on Tuesday, that “Cameroon's security forces killed 48 civilians as they responded to protests against the re-election of President Paul Biya, the world's oldest ruler”.

The report added that nearly half of the deaths recorded by the U.N., occurred in the Littoral Region, which includes the port city of Douala where election-related protests was most intense.

Reuters revealed that three gendarmes also died in Douala, with the majority of the victims having been killed by live bullets although several died from wounds sustained when they were beaten.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3618 of Friday November 07, 2025