Sub Saharan Africa

Cameroon

Still current at: 07 October 2008

Updated: 12 September 2008

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

 

Crime

 

Incidents of mugging and banditry, often armed, are a serious problem throughout Cameroon.  Muggings and robberies have been reported in the area surrounding the Mount Febe hotel, in Yaoundé. We advise caution if venturing to this area, even during daylight hours. There were a number of violent attacks on foreigners in September 2007 which resulted in the death of two foreign nationals in separate incidents. You should take sensible personal security precautions and maintain a high level of vigilance in public places and ensure that car doors for example are locked when travelling.  Do not resist thieves: it is better to lose your property than your life.

There are regular reports of kidnappings, car hijackings and robberies, often armed and accompanied by violent acts.  These have occurred most frequently along roads close to Cameroon's eastern border with Central African Republic (CAR) and Chad, as well as in Douala, Yaoundé, Kribi and Maroua and the Edea-Kribi road.  British nationals have been affected. You should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking. Armed highwaymen operate in the three provinces of Adamaoua, the North, and the Far North.  You should plan your journey carefully and travel in convoy.  There have been a number of violent robberies by road blockers in the area north of Mount Cameroon (on the Kumba-Ekondo Titi-Mundemba road).

There have been some serious incidents of car hijacking and robbery, resulting in several deaths, along the Bamenda-Banyo and Bafoussam-Banyo axes in the north-west.  A member of the High Commission staff was attacked and robbed (along with others) north of Foumban during daylight hours in December 2005.  There has also been a series of attacks along the Douala-Bafoussam Road, especially in the region of Melong, during daylight hours.  These roads are best avoided.  Night travel by public transport should be avoided due to the number of highway robberies on the Yaoundé-Bafoussam and Douala-Bafoussam roads.

There have been a series of attacks in a variety of towns where gangs of armed gunmen have held up entire restaurants or hotels where foreigners are known to be eating or staying.  This occurs because we are perceived locally to be wealthy. Do not resist. Try to carry as few valuables as possible and nothing that you are not prepared to give up if necessary.  Try to keep cash holdings to your immediate needs.

There have been reports of criminal gangs and bandits operating in the Douala area.  Close and lock all residential doors and windows, including those above ground level, particularly at night.  Do not rely on height or fly screens for protection.  Many expatriate homes up to the eighth floor (Douala) and fourth floor (Yaoundé) have been robbed by bandits.  It is advised that burglar proof bars be installed in rented homes before signing contracts.  Identify callers through spyholes before opening doors, especially late at night.
 

You should avoid carrying valuables or wearing jewellery in public and avoid isolated or poorer areas of towns (notably, in Yaoundé, La Briquetterie and Mokolo).  Petty theft is common on trains, coaches and in bush taxis.  You should take sensible precautions when using city taxis as most do not comply with basic security norms, such as seatbelts.  Violent assaults on taxi passengers are not uncommon.  You should avoid travelling alone as far as possible, particularly after dark and only use known taxis even during daytime.

 

Foreign visitors and residents in Cameroon are increasingly becoming targets by scam artists. The scams come in many forms, and can pose great financial loss to victims. Scam artists are also targeting individuals in the UK via websites, chat-rooms and by email with the intention of soliciting money from victims. The reasons that the scam artists give for needing cash vary but include importing animals to the UK or posing as British citizens in distress and in immediate need of funds. Many victims are persuaded to part with large amounts of money before they start to suspect anything. Schemes in operation by West African criminal networks are designed to facilitate victims parting with money, known as advance fee or 419 fraud.  For further information on advance fee fraud please see Metropolitan Police Service - Fraud Alert.
 

If you are concerned about someone who has travelled to Cameroon you should contact the Consular Section of the British High Commission, Yaoundé: (consularenq.yaounde@fco.gov.uk).

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

 

Political situation

Cameroon Country Profile

 

You should avoid all political rallies, demonstrations and large public gatherings.

 

Local Travel

 

In February 2008 there was some civil unrest and rioting in Douala which spread to some other provinces in the country, including Limbe, Yaoundé, Bamenda and Bafoussam.  The riots resulted in a numbe rof civilian deaths and serious injuries.  Since 29 February the main areas of unrest have been calm.

 

You should register with the British High Commission in Yaoundé if you intend to stay longer than one month.

 

We continue to advise against all travel to the area bordering Nigeria in the region of the Bakassi Peninsula.  Cameroon and Nigeria have now reached an agreement on the future of Bakassi, which was handed from Nigeria to Cameroon on 14 August 2008, but the area and local feelings remain sensitive.

 

We advise against all travel to the area bordering the Central African Republic (CAR), where armed banditry and kidnappings for ransom are common. Since 2006 there have been growing numbers of refugees along Cameroon’s eastern border. If you choose to travel to this area, against our advice, you should consult the local authorities for their assessment of the current situation immediately before beginning your journey.  You should be aware that the British High Commission’s ability to assist you in the event of an incident may be constrained by the prevailing situation.

 

We advise against all travel to the Belel area in Adamaoua Province and along the Meiganga-Ngaoundere road due to cases of banditry (including carjackings).  Economic and political pressures within the Central African Republic (CAR) and Chad have driven refugees and combatants over the border into eastern Cameroon.  Travel in this area, especially the Garoua Boulai – Meiganga – Yarimbang/Yatiua triangle has now become very dangerous. These problems have now spread to the Belel area, east of Ngaoundere. Indiscriminate armed robberies, kidnappings for ransom and car hijackings are common.

 

You should exercise extreme care if travelling to the north of Cameroon by road.  The difficulties of the eastern route via Garoua-Boulai and Meiganga are explained in the paragraph above.  The western route requires travel along the Bamenda-Banyo axis (please see crime section above).  The central route via Yoko requires travel on very poorly maintained and largely uninhabited roads and requires passage over a number of bridges in a poor state of repair.  There is no fuel on the route.  If you must attempt this, carry plenty of water and sufficient fuel to enable you to turn back if necessary.  A satellite phone to summon assistance if required should be considered essential.

 

If you intend to visit the Lake Chad area in the Far North Province you should report to the local authorities (the Prefet or Sous-Prefet) on arrival.  The local authorities advise visitors to engage a reliable guide, such as those offered by the larger hotels in Maroua.

 

The border with the Republic of Congo is closed.  Overland travel out of Cameroon can be difficult.  Gendarmerie (rural police) detachments are posted along the road between Maroua and the Chadian border.

 

Roadblocks set up by the police or gendarmerie, are common throughout Cameroon.  You may be asked to show your passport, driving licence or vehicle registration documents.  There are regular reports of uniformed members of the security forces stopping motorists on the pretext of minor or non-existent violations of local vehicle regulations in order to extort small bribes.  We recommend that you do not pay bribes.  Where possible you should request the officer to provide a ticket, detailing alleged offences of violations that can be paid at a local court.

 

You should be cautious when travelling around the Nyos and Monoun volcanic lakes in the west of Cameroon because of toxic fumes.  The lakes effused poisonous gasses in the 1980's killing many people in the surrounding area.  There were no warning signs that this would happen.  The lakes are being degassed but at a slow rate and the lakes could unexpectedly release toxic fumes again at any time.  Moreover there are concerns regarding the stability of the dam wall holding Lake Nyos in place.  Should the wall collapse the area downstream into Nigeria would be subjected to serious flooding and the sudden release of pressure would allow another release of gas.  You should take these risks into account when planning trips to the region.

 

Road Travel

 

UK driving licences and International Driving Permits may be used on first arrival, but you should obtain a Cameroonian licence as soon as possible after arrival.  Holders of a UK driving licence can do this by filling in a form at the Delegation of Transport.

 

Roads in Cameroon are generally in poor condition.  Many are badly pot-holed, and street lighting, where it exists, is poor.  Pedestrians and stray animals on roads are a frequent hazard.  Many vehicles are poorly lit and badly driven.

 

We recommend you avoid driving at night in rural areas, particularly on the Yaoundé-Douala trunk road, where accidents are common.  Exercise caution when driving at night in urban areas, including Yaoundé and Douala, and lock your doors.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

 

Air Travel

 

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community.  You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: Air Transport Portal of the European Commission - latest news.

 

There are doubts about the reliability and safety of some Cameroonian-registered aircraft operating flights within Cameroon.  British Government employees do not use internal flights in Cameroon unless this is unavoidable.  You should bear this in mind when making your travel plans.

 

On 5 May 2007, a Kenya Airways flight crashed shortly after take-off from Douala airport.  Five British nationals were on board.  There were no survivors.

For more general information see Airline Security.

Homosexuality is not widely accepted in central African society and some sexual acts between members of the same sex are illegal.

Penalties for the use and possession of drugs are severe and usually include a prison sentence.

You should carry identification at all times (either a residence permit or a certified copy of your passport).  Failure to produce such identification can lead to detention by the police.

Photography of military sites, government buildings, airports and ports is forbidden. 

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Visas

 

Visas are required to visit Cameroon.  To apply for a visa and to obtain further information on entry requirements.

Passport validity

 

Your passport must be valid for six months from the date of entry into Cameroon.

 

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate

You will be asked to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival in the country.  Failure to do so will result in a further vaccination being administered, for which a charge is made.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.

Medical facilities in Cameroon are poor, particularly in rural areas.  Emergency facilities are extremely limited.  For serious medical treatment, medical evacuation to the UK or South Africa would be necessary.

Malaria and cholera are common to Cameroon, as are other water-borne diseases.  

There are regular cholera outbreaks between the months of December and June with Douala city, Littoral province and the West and South West provinces the areas most usually affected.  In 2006/7 over 1,400 people were affected and 42 people died.  You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.  If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Cameroon you should seek immediate medical attention.

In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 470,000 adults aged 15 or over in Cameroon were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 5.4% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to AIDS/HIV.  For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Cameroon and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

In March 2006, the Pasteur Institute identified the H5NI (Avian Influenza) virus in a domestic duck that came from a small poultry farm near to the northern town of Maroua.  The authorities are taking measures to contain the disease.  No human infections have been reported.

The risk from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low provided you avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds, and ensure that poultry and egg dishes are well cooked.

See Avian and Pandemic Flu for more details.

Insurance

 

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

 

Registering with the British High Commission

You should register with the British High Commission in Yaoundé on arrival in Cameroon.

 

British passports

The British High Commission in Yaoundé does not issue full passports and, before setting off, you should ensure that your passport has sufficient validity and a plentiful supply of unused pages.  Applications for new passports are accepted in Yaoundé for forwarding to the British High Commission in Nairobi for processing, but this may take up to six weeks.  If a courier is used, the cost must be borne by the applicant.

Money

Sterling travellers cheques are difficult to exchange throughout Cameroon.