Cameroon: SDF Seeks New Laws on Femicide, Child Protection and Asset Declaration

BUEA, PAV – The Social Democratic Front (SDF) has taken a significant legislative step by tabling five major Private Members’ Bills before the National Assembly, targeting issues ranging from gender-based violence and child protection to national unity, transparency in public office, and historical justice.

The bills were formally presented on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, by Hon. Joshua Osih, Member of Parliament and National Chairman of the SDF, alongside the party’s parliamentary group.

The opposition party described the move as part of its commitment to demonstrating that Parliament should serve not only as an institution for overseeing government action but also as a platform for proposing practical legislative solutions to the challenges facing Cameroonians.

The package of reforms includes a Bill on the Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Care of Victims of Femicide and Violence Against Women; a Bill on the Enhanced Protection of Children Against Sexual Violence, Abduction, Trafficking, Ritual Crimes and All Forms of Exploitation; a Bill on the Promotion of National Cohesion, National Reconciliation, Residency-Based Citizenship and the Fight Against Territorial, Ethnic and Community-Based Discrimination; a Bill aimed at implementing Section 66 of the Constitution through asset declaration and transparency measures for public officials; and a Bill recognizing slavery and colonisation as crimes against humanity while promoting historical memory, cultural restitution and reparatory justice.

According to the SDF, the legislative proposals are designed to address some of the most pressing social, political and governance concerns affecting citizens across the country.

The first bill seeks to strengthen the protection of women and girls by introducing modern prevention mechanisms, emergency protection measures, victim support services and tougher legal action against perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide.

The second proposal focuses on child protection, with provisions intended to reinforce the legal framework against sexual violence, child trafficking, abduction, ritual crimes and all forms of exploitation. The SDF says the legislation would place Cameroon among the leading African countries in safeguarding children’s rights.

National cohesion and social harmony are at the centre of the third bill, which seeks to combat tribalism, territorial discrimination and identity-based exclusion. A key innovation is the introduction of the principle of Residency-Based Citizenship, which would guarantee that every Cameroonian enjoys equal rights regardless of place of origin or residence.

The fourth bill addresses transparency and accountability in public administration by proposing the implementation of Section 66 of the Constitution, which requires public officials to declare their assets. The proposed law establishes mechanisms for asset declaration, monitoring and the prevention of illicit enrichment while providing safeguards against arbitrary accusations.

The fifth legislative proposal seeks to position Cameroon within the growing international movement advocating historical justice. It calls for the recognition of the transatlantic, trans-Saharan and eastern slave trades, slavery and colonisation as crimes against humanity, while supporting initiatives related to historical truth, restitution of cultural heritage and reparations.

The SDF maintains that the bills were prepared in conformity with the Constitution of Cameroon, established legislative drafting standards and international best practices while taking into account the country’s legal and social realities.

The party has called on Members of Parliament, political parties, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, academics and citizens to study the proposals and contribute to discussions surrounding the reforms. The SDF says it is demonstrating that a responsible opposition must go beyond criticism by offering credible alternatives capable of improving governance and the lives of citizens.