8, March 2026
Southern Cameroons-Nigeria Maritime Borders in the Gulf of Guinea-Our Stand 0
We, the Leaders of Southern Cameroons and Prisoners of Conscience and war, are following with profound interest, the ongoing dispute between the State Governments of Cross River and Akwa Ibom in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This dispute, primarily focused on the ownership of oil wells and other Marineassets between the two states within Nigeria’s recognised maritime boundaries,puts us, the people of Southern Cameroonsin the eye of the storm. We are an interested party in the disputebythe mere fact that we are Southern Cameroonians, English Speaking Cameroonians, the only people who share both terrestrial and maritime boundaries with Cross River State, and by implication, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It is because we are involved.
As leaders of the Southern Cameroonian people, we consider it expedient, indeed a duty, to inform the world of our affinityto Cross River State in Nigeria. What happens in Cross River State affects Southern Cameroons, and what is currently happening in Southern Cameroons, (since the government of La Republique du Cameroon under President Biya declared war on Southern Cameroonians 10 years ago) is significantly affecting Cross River State. We thank the Governor, H.E. Prince Bassey Otu and all the good people of Cross River State,who have shown love, compassion and true kinship, by providing shelter and stretching their limited resources to accommodate over one hundred thousand Southern Cameroonian Refugees currently in Cross River State, as a result of the war declared on us by Paul Biya’s government of French Cameroon. The Government of French Cameroons does not hide its abhorrence for the People of Southern Cameroons, and even more so, our closeness to Cross River State.
We are therefore appealing to the Governor, H.E. Prince Bassey Otu, the government and most importantly our sisters and brothers, the citizens of Cross River State to seize this moment and join hands with the Leadership of Southern Cameroons so that Cross River State gets what is rightly hers, and Southern Cameroonians get their freedom and independence. This is the surest path to peace, justice and a future of shared prosperity for our two peoples.
We, the Leaders of Southern Cameroons are ready and willing to enter discussions with the Cross River State government in support of their claims to ownership of the resources (including oil Wells) on the Nigerian side of our maritime boundaries. Whatever material and historical facts we have at our disposal to bolster Cross River’s claims, will be availed to H.E. the governor under the right circumstances.
We make this solemn appeal based on the following historical facts:
– The common ancestral land, culture, traditions, sociopolitical and economic potentials defined by historical and geographical boundary beacons at the Gulf of Guinea.
– The economic viability of an independent and peaceful Southern Cameroons and its multiplier effectsin enhancing Cross River State’s ambitious development plans in both maritime and territorial boundaries which we share, including the Bakassi Deep Seaport and the Mfum-Export Processing Zone Projects.
The government in French Cameroun has not only shown hostility towards the people of Southern Cameroons with a natural and historic affinity to Cross River State but have gone ahead and continue perpetuating war on our people. The mere fact that we are seen and perceived as allies of Cross River, and by implication allies of Nigeria in the larger context, we are marked for persecution and oppression. In effect, our proximity, culture, language, and most importantly our commonly shared natural resources whether on land or water, is what is at stake here, and the reason for our continuous marginalization and subjugation as Southern Cameroonians.
– We are together in this because the people of Southern Cameroons are fighting for a just cause, just as the people of Cross River State are fighting for what is rightly theirs in a federated Nigeria. As we share the pain today, so shall we share peace and prosperity in a better tomorrow when Southern Cameroons will be free.
Being a statement issued by:
Leaders of the Southern Cameroons and Prisoners of Conscience and War.




















9, March 2026
Biya regime secures $195 million loan to expand national fiber backbone 0
Cameroon’s President Paul Biya signed a decree on Friday, March 6 authorizing the Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development to finalize a loan agreement of about 1.35 billion yuan (around $195 million) with the Export-Import Bank of China. The funding will support phase four of the country’s national fiber optic backbone expansion.
A fiber network built gradually since 2011
The financing continues Cameroon’s national fiber deployment program, launched more than a decade ago to build a nationwide data transport network. According to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, about 6,000 km of fiber were installed between 2011 and 2016 during the first two phases of the project.
A third phase completed in 2017 added another 4,000 km, bringing the national network to around 10,000 km. An additional 1,000 km were deployed along the Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline.
Since then, further extensions, cross-border interconnections, and additional deployments by public and private operators have continued to expand the network. Cameroon now has more than 15,000 km of fiber infrastructure connecting regions across the country and linking with several neighboring states, including Chad, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, and Nigeria.
Infrastructure still underused
Despite the steady expansion of this infrastructure over the past decade, its use remains limited, and the quality of connectivity continues to draw criticism from users.
According to DataReportal’s latest figures for early 2026, internet penetration in Cameroon stands at about 45%. The data highlight a gap between a relatively strong backbone network and limited last-mile access for many of the country’s 12.6 million internet users.
Phase four of the project is expected to address these disparities by expanding distribution networks to better connect government institutions, businesses, and rural areas that remain poorly served.
A strategic pillar for the digital economy
Completing the national backbone is seen as a key step for the growth of Cameroon’s digital economy and the structural transformation outlined in the country’s National Development Strategy 2020–2030.
Expanding fiber infrastructure is considered essential for supporting tech startups, digital services, e-commerce platforms, and the digitalization of public services.
The renewed partnership with the Export-Import Bank of China, which has already financed several earlier phases of the project, underscores the government’s ambition to strengthen nationwide coverage and accelerate digital inclusion.
Source: Business in Cameroon