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Sub Saharan Africa

Cameroon

 Flag of Cameroon

Map of Cameroon Last reviewed: 7 January 2008

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Cameroon generally maintains good relations with its neighbours, but keeps a low profile on regional and international issues. Nigeria and Cameroon had a long-running dispute over their border, including the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula. This at times occasionally escalated into armed clashes. The ICJ settled the dispute in October 2002, awarding sovereignty of the Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon. Nigerian Forces withdrew from Bakassi in August 2006 under the June Greentree agreement which allows for a continued Nigerian civil authority presence for a limited time in part of the region. The resolution of the conflict by Presidents Obasanjo and Biya was widely heralded as model for Africa and the rest of the World.

On 12 November 2007, 21 Cameroonian soldiers were killed in the Bakassi peninsula. It is not yet clear who is responsible for the attack, but the Governments of Cameroon and Nigeria have agreed to work together to establish their identity.

Franc Zone
African Union

Cameroon also has a low profile on the international stage. Cameroonian Governments have always enjoyed close relations with France. The country joined the Commonwealth in November 1995. The Commonwealth has since expressed its concern at Cameroon’s record on human rights and good governance and has been in the forefront of moves to improve the electoral system. Former Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark is currently leading these efforts.

Cameroon's Relations with the UK

Cameroon and the UK enjoy good relations. The UK has worked alongside the Commonwealth and the EU and, in an attempt to complement their efforts, has provided funding to help strengthen the role of the National Elections Observatory. The UK has a High Commission in Yaounde. The British Council also operates from Yaounde, Douala and Bamenda. The British High Commissioner to Cameroon is Syd Maddicott.

HRH Prince Edward visited Cameroon in June 2004 in his capacity as Patron of the International Award. Baroness Amos, as Minister for Africa, visited Cameroon twice in 2003. HRH Duke of Edinburgh visited Cameroon in March 1999 as part of a working visit in his capacity as Chairman of the Worldwide Fund for Nature. President Biya made an official visit to the UK in March 2004.

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Contacts

Cameroon

Address:

High Commission for the Republic of Cameroon
84 Holland Park
London
W11 3SB

Telephone:

(020) 7727 0771

Fax:

(020) 7792 9353

Email: hicom@cameroonhicom.co.uk

Office hours:

Mon–Fri: 0900–1600

Website: www.cameroonhicom.co.uk