Cameroon Embassy

Cameroon Foreign Policy

Cameroon practices a Radiant diplomacy which is discreet but effective. Cameroon's foreign policy revolves around three key issues: National independence, non-alignment and cooperation. These are based on a tripod approach to presence, participation and influence. Cameroon is one of the few countries in the world which is at the same time a member of the Francophonie, the Commonwealth and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

Since 1982, under the leadership of President Paul Biya there has been a revival in Cameroon diplomacy. In July 1996, Cameroon hosted the 32nd summit of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).In November 1995 she was admitted into the Commonwealth. In February 2001 she organized the 21st Africa-France Summit in Yaoundé.

She supports the principles of non-interference in the affairs of third countries and increased assistance to underdeveloped countries. Cameroon is an active participant in the United Nations, where its voting record demonstrates its commitment to causes that include international peacekeeping, the rule of law, environmental protection, and Third World economic development. In the UN and other human rights fora, Cameroon's non-confrontational approach has generally led it to avoid criticizing other countries.

Cameroon enjoys good relations with the United States, Russia, China and other developed countries. It has particularly close ties with France due to its colonial history. China has a number of health and infrastructure projects underway in Cameroon, and provides some military assistance. Cameroon enjoys generally good relations with its African neighbours.

Cameroon has successfully resolved its border dispute with Nigeria in the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula through peaceful legal means after having submitted the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). With the support of the UN, both countries are working closely together to peacefully implement the ICJ ruling, and a genuine, peaceful turnover of the peninsula by Nigeria to Cameroon which happened in August 2008. Roughly 5,000 Nigerians have moved back into Nigeria thus far.

Cameroon supports UN peacekeeping activities in Central Africa. She is a member of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) made up of Cameroon ,Central African Republic , Chad , Equatorial Guinea , Gabon , Republic of the Congo and therefore a member of The Bank of Central African States (in French, BEAC). Established in November 1972, BEAC is a Central bank and the issuing institute for the member states of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC).

                                                 Diplomatic missions of Cameroon around the world 

Cameroon has widened the circle of its partners throughout the world by establishing diplomatic relations and further enhancing its presence through the creation or the reopening of several Embassies or consular missions. Cameroon has so far, 37 Consulates (25 honorary consulates,6 State consulates and 6 consulate-general, listed across the five continents.