'Silence is complicity' - top footballer hits out over Cameroon femicides

Cameroon is grappling with a surge in femicides that has drawn international attention and domestic condemnation. In the first four months of 2024, at least 50 women have been killed, a figure that, while lower than the 77 murders recorded last year, still signals a persistent problem. The most recent incident, reported on Tuesday, involved a 44‑year‑old woman who was stabbed to death in a hotel room in Yaoundé; the alleged assailant, a 22‑year‑old man, has since been arrested.

The killings have sparked outrage across the country. Among those who have publicly called for action is Nchout Njoya Ajara, a 33‑year‑old striker who has played professionally in Russia, Sweden, Norway, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia, including stints with Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan. Ajara said that the “tragic wave” of femicides “has made being a woman in Cameroon a risk” and warned that “silence is complicity.” Her statements have added weight to a growing chorus demanding stronger protection for women and girls.

The government has acknowledged the rise in gender‑based violence. Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family Marie‑Thérèse Abena Ondoa condemned the “worrying” increase in killings and said the state was working to address the problem. She referenced a bill aimed at protecting women from gender‑based violence, noting that it was under review by the prime minister. However, the bill has not yet become law, and civil society groups have criticized the government’s delay.

Viviane Tathi, director of an organisation that documents femicide cases, told the BBC that the bill’s fate was uncertain. “We are worried because the November parliamentary session focuses on budgetary debates… So, we don’t know by what magic this bill will be passed,” she said. Tathi has called for a special court to handle family disputes that often lead to domestic violence.

The opposition Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) party has also expressed outrage. In a statement, the party condemned the “tragic recurrence of domestic femicides” and accused the government of being passive on the issue. The party’s criticism echoes concerns from other women's rights groups that the state is not doing enough to enforce existing laws or pass new legislation.

International data underscores the severity of the problem. According to the latest United Nations estimates, Africa recorded the highest total number of femicide victims worldwide in 2024, with an estimated 22,600 cases. Africa’s femicide rate, relative to its population, also tops the global ranking, although the figures are likely underreported due to inconsistent record‑keeping by many governments.

The recent spike in murders has prompted calls for immediate action. Ajara’s comments have highlighted the urgency of addressing the cultural and legal gaps that allow such violence to continue. While the government has pledged to review protective legislation, civil society remains skeptical of the timeline for implementation. The upcoming November parliamentary session will be a critical moment to decide whether the bill will become law, but many fear that budgetary priorities may sideline the issue.

As the country mourns the loss of at least eight women in a single week, the debate over how to protect women and girls in Cameroon intensifies. The government’s response, the opposition’s criticism, and the advocacy of civil society all point to a complex challenge that requires swift legislative and societal change. The world watches as Cameroon confronts one of the most pressing human rights crises on the continent.