What You Need to Know
The National Union of Higher Education Teachers in Cameroon (SYNES) has announced a comprehensive strike across all public universities from January 5 to 14. Professors are halting all university activities due to various demands related to unpaid salaries and benefits, some of which have been outstanding for years. The strike involves approximately 8,200 faculty members across eleven universities
Africa. The National Union of Higher Education Teachers in Cameroon (SYNES) has announced a comprehensive strike across all public universities in the country from January 5 to 14.
During this period, professors intend to halt all activities at the universities. The reason: various demands related to their salaries and overdue benefits, which have not been paid in some cases for years.
The striking professors are spread across the eleven public universities in Cameroon, representing approximately 8,200 faculty members. According to Professor Janet Woujaing Fotsu, the Secretary-General of SYNES, the core of their demands is the non-payment of accumulated academic debts from the 2021-2022 academic year.
These debts cover the additional hours worked by members of the master’s and doctoral examination committees, as well as teaching fees and consulting services.
Among other demands is the non-payment of the third and fourth installments of research professors’ bonuses, which affects 80% of the faculty, according to SYNES.
The union expresses deep concern over the deteriorating living and working conditions of its members, particularly regarding the pension system and health insurance, among other issues. These demands are not new, and the union asserts that it has received promises from the government on several occasions in 2024 and 2025, but these promises have not been fulfilled to date.
SYNES clarifies that the strike, which began on Monday and continues until January 14, does not affect its members’ participation in doctoral thesis defense committees.
The National Union of Higher Education Teachers (SYNES) has been advocating for the rights and welfare of university faculty in Cameroon for several years. Issues such as unpaid salaries and deteriorating working conditions have been persistent challenges. The union has previously received promises from the government regarding improvements, but many of these commitments remain unfulfilled, leading to ongoing discontent among educators in the country.
