The Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), has launched a scathing critique of the Cameroonian government, calling President Paul Biya’s regime “corrupt” and warning that its actions pose economic and security risks to the American people.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday, Risch accused the Biya administration of political repression, electoral fraud, enabling Russian paramilitary group Wagner’s “illicit activities,” and fostering conditions that allow extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS to thrive in the country’s conflict-hit Anglophone regions.
“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,” Risch said. “The regime has staged a sham re-election, and unlawfully detained American citizens, including those from Idaho.”
Risch went further to state that “Cameroon is not a U.S. partner,” urging Washington to “reassess this relationship before the blowback gets worse.”
The comments come in the wake of a contested presidential election in Cameroon that saw incumbent President Biya declared the winner with 53.66% of the vote. The opposition has rejected the results, sparking unrest in several cities.
No immediate response has been issued by the Cameroonian government.