Published December 24, 2011 | By Kristen Blandford and Raphaël Jaeger

For a long time a bastion of stability in a turbulent region, Cameroon is showing signs of deterioration. A lack of anticorruption reforms and free elections have undermined the legitimacy of the increasingly authoritarian government, particularly as the regime’s popularity is being adversely affected by unfavorable economic conditions. The opposition’s failure to be more integrated into the country’s politics has threatened severe political fragmentation. Outside pressures also pose a risk, as neighboring conflicts have the potential to spill over into Cameroon. On the economic front, establishing a stable macroeconomic framework, diversifying the economy, and building infrastructure remain key priorities in order to counter the effects of the economic downturn that is destabilizing the country.