Academic strikes persist in Gabon and Cameroon over unpaid wages

Academic strikes continue across multiple regions in Africa as faculty unions demand the settlement of long-standing wage arrears and improved working conditions.

In Gabon, the National Union of Teacher-Researchers (SNEC) has maintained its strike at the Masuku University of Science and Technology (USTM). While acknowledging campus rehabilitation efforts, the union cites unpaid teaching fees and a lack of laboratory equipment as primary grievances. Dr. Ferdinand Evoung Evoung, president of SNEC-USTM, noted that a 700 million FCFA fund released following a presidential audit was insufficient to cover all debts. The strike is causing delays in the 2025-2026 academic calendar, impacting students' ability to complete required internships.

In Cameroon, the National Union of Higher Education Teachers (SYNES) has also decided to maintain an unlimited strike despite recent financial announcements from the Ministry of Higher Education. While the ministry reported the payment of several billion FCFA toward research bonuses and academic debt, the union argues that the measures are insufficient. SYNES cited the lack of a transparent, consolidated list of academic debt and the fact that the entirety of the second quarter of 2026 payments are not yet guaranteed as reasons to continue the industrial action.