Cameroon’s National Union of Teachers of Higher Education, Executive Bureau (BEN-SYNES) has declared an indefinite strike across all public universities, effective immediately, citing unpaid allowances and unresolved academic debt.

The decision was taken Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, during an extraordinary session of the union’s National Executive Office held by videoconference.

In a press release, BEN-SYNES said the government had failed to pay outstanding amounts under the Special Allowance for Research Modernisation, including payments for the fourth quarter of 2025 and quarters already due in 2026.

The union also cited outstanding academic debt and what it described as the government’s failure to honor commitments on social dialogue and university governance.

BEN-SYNES called on all teaching staff to suspend academic and research activities until its demands are met.

The union is also demanding a response to its request for an audience with President Paul Biya, which it said was submitted in January 2025.