Update Log
Data Update: Enhanced coverage in Cameroon using local information networks
ACLED published new data and is incorporating information collected directly from local information networks in Cameroon
In December 2024, ACLED lost a key data-sharing partner, resulting in a sharp decline in event numbers for Cameroon, especially in the Northwest and Southwest regions. On 16 September 2025, ACLED published new data and began incorporating information collected directly from local information networks in Cameroon to improve event coverage and address existing sourcing gaps. This released data covers incidents from July 2025 onward.
Unlike traditional media sources, these local information networks operate directly in the field and collect and transmit verified information on political violence and demonstration events to ACLED in real-time. This initiative is part of a broader effort to expand data collection in regions where traditional media sources are limited or inconsistent. Events sourced this way are identified in the dataset in the Source column under the name “Local Network.”
The integration of local network data into the dataset for Cameroon highlights changes in conflict dynamics that may have previously been underreported, particularly concerning separatist groups involved in battles and incidents of violence against civilians in the Northwest and Southwest regions. This shift reflects improved access to information and will be incorporated weekly into ACLED’s dataset.
Summary of Changes
Date of publication: 16 September 2025
New events and/or corrections added: 692
Countries affected: Cameroon
Source label: Events collected through these networks appear in the Source column as “Local Network.”
Considerations for analysis: Users conducting temporal analysis should be aware that this enhancement marks a shift in source coverage, and trends before and after 1 July 2025 are not directly comparable due to the addition of these new local information networks. A data enhancement initiative is scheduled to integrate information from local networks concerning incidents between December 2024 and June 2025, aiming to address the data gap resulting from the loss of access to partner data in December 2024. Until then, there is a known reporting gap in Cameroon’s dataset from December 2024 to June 2025, which users should consider when performing analysis.
