Politicians have used social media to reach voters and build their public image, only for the same channels to become restricted after elections. President Paul Biya himself announced his intention to seek re-election via Twitter. Had the internet been throttled at that time as it is today, few Cameroonians would have seen that message.
By Colbert Gwain @ The Muteff Factor (formerly The Colbert Factor)
There once lived an ambivalent man in Muteff who was constantly at odds with his neighbor downstream. When he heard that his rival planned to build a house that might outshine his own, he hastily gathered his children to block the stream that flowed through his land, using banana stalks and stones to divert the water.
When the downstream neighbor woke up early the next morning, he found that the once-lively stream had slowed to a trickle — it would now take an entire day to fill just one drum. When word spread that his upstream adversary had blocked the source, he raised an alarm, and concerned villagers intervened. The culprit first claimed he needed the water for his own construction, then argued that since the stream passed through his compound, he had the right to use it exclusively. Only when the community elders reminded him that the stream was a common good did he reluctantly remove the obstruction and allow the water to flow again.
That parable mirrors the current tug-of-war over internet access in Cameroon. Politicians have used social media to reach voters and build their public image, only for the same channels to become restricted after elections. President Paul Biya himself announced his intention to seek re-election via Twitter. Had the internet been throttled at that time as it is today, few Cameroonians would have seen that message.
Ironically, one of President Biya’s key campaign promises in 2025 was to promote digital innovation. Yet, just days after the October 12 presidential election and before the official proclamation of results on October 27, the country experienced widespread connectivity disruptions. If the shutdown was unintentional, citizens ask why the government has remained silent and why Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have not been summoned to explain.
Authorities have previously defended temporary disruptions as necessary to prevent the spread of misinformation, hate speech, or potential unrest. However, critics argue that such measures often restrict freedom of expression and harm economic activity in an era when the internet has become vital for education, commerce, and governance.
Choosing censorship over connectivity amid political tension sends a mixed message for a country positioning itself as an emerging digital economy. Interrupting access widens the digital divide and fuels frustration among young Cameroonians who depend on online work and trade. In 2017, a 94-day internet shutdown in the Anglophone regions cost the economy at least $38 million (around XAF 21.48 billion), according to independent estimates.
In an open letter to President Biya, Access Now, a global digital rights group, urged Cameroon’s authorities to guarantee open and secure internet access before, during, and after the 2025 election. The group noted recent reports of network throttling, especially in crisis-affected areas and during moments of unrest. “Election-related shutdowns restrict access to information and participation in democratic processes, make it difficult to document irregularities, and erode public trust,” Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition stated. They also reminded Cameroon of its obligations under both national and international frameworks to uphold citizens’ rights to information and expression.
The internet today is more than a communication tool — it underpins education, healthcare, business, and civic engagement. Restricting it can stifle dialogue, hinder transparency, and erode trust in institutions.
As Bridget Andere, Senior Policy Analyst at Access Now, puts it:
“Internet connectivity is not a luxury; it’s an essential tool woven into the fabric of everyday life — from education to healthcare to democratic participation. The internet is an enabler of fundamental human rights and is key to sustaining meaningful democracy. Authorities in Cameroon must respect human rights and #KeepItOn.”
Conclusion
Cameroon now stands at a crossroads between digital progress and political caution. In a world increasingly powered by connectivity, the internet is no longer a privilege but a public utility — as indispensable as water or electricity. The decision to shut it down, whether for political control or security concerns, risks alienating a generation of digital natives and undermining the very innovation the government seeks to promote.
The parable from Muteff reminds us that blocking the stream may win a temporary advantage, but it deprives the entire community of progress. In the same way, when access to the internet — the stream of modern life — is obstructed, it is not just the opposition that suffers; the entire nation dries up.
Cameroon’s challenge, therefore, is to find a path where security and freedom can coexist, where transparency becomes a bridge, not a barrier — and where the flow of information, like the stream in Muteff, continues to nourish every citizen equally.
Colbert Gwain @ The Muteff Factor (formerly The Colbert Factor)
