Task Force Cameroon-01: SITREP 1

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 000204 SIPDIS DEPT FOR TF-1, DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, DS/OSAC, AF/C, DS/DSS/CC SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC AMGT KFLO KSAC MARR PHUM PINR PGOV PREL, KPAO, CM SUBJECT: Task Force Cameroon-01: SITREP 1 Ref: (A) Yaounde 0121 (B) Yaounde 0182 (C) Yaounde 0191 (D) Yaounde 0192 ¶1. (U) Embassy Yaounde EAC met at 08:30 local time on February 29 to discuss the security situation in Cameroon. In attendance were AMB, DCM, RSO, DAO, POL/ECON, MGT, PA, CONS, and Peace Corps. "Enforced calm" throughout most of Cameroon -------------- ¶2. (U) Overnight and into the morning of February 29, the cities of Douala and Yaounde remained in a state of "enforced calm." Taxis have returned to the streets of Yaounde, though not in full force. In Douala, most local businesses that cater to the general population remain closed and there are fewer taxis on the streets. In Yaounde some stores, banks, and schools are open. The American Schools remain closed in both cities. There are still several areas in the country where tensions remain high; these are mainly located in the West and Northwest provinces. ¶3. (U) The airports in Yaounde and Douala remain open, with sufficient fuel supply for scheduled flights to operate throughout the weekend. The Peace Corps main office in Yaounde reopened on February 29 and all Peace Corps staff and Volunteers are safe. ¶4. (U) As of 06:30 on February 29, the two separate French-organized convoys are en route to Yaounde, one from Bamenda via the West, and one from the Southwest via Douala. Both are traveling with Cameroonian military escorts and both include various diplomats and expatriates, including official and private Americans. Post has remained in close contact with the Embassy officers in these motorcades. Embassy Actions -------------- ¶5. (U) The Embassy is issuing a security notice requiring official Americans to restrict their travel to daylight hours, reminding them of no inter-city travel and the need to limit unnecessary outings. Because the next few days include numerous unknowns, the Embassy will enforce this policy throughout the weekend. ¶6. (U) The Embassy will maintain task force staffing throughout the weekend, to include the control room already operating in the Consular section. Contact information on key Embassy personnel has been emailed to TF-1. The Embassy Branch Office in Douala remains closed, and the Director remains in his residence; he reports that he has been able to purchase food and gas and that his neighborhood is quiet. Ambassador will address the Embassy staff in another Town Hall meeting on February 29. ¶7. (U) Embassy classified email remains down. Classified intranet is accessible, as is cable traffic. ¶8. (SBU) Comment. The current calm in Yaounde, Douala, and elsewhere prevails only because of the massive and unprecedented military presence. Every military unit in the country has been mobilized, and some have moved from volatile areas in Cameroon's east to Yaounde and other hot spots. Government officials "ordered" taxi operators to resume operations and shopkeepers to reopen their shops. There is an opposition rally planned for Douala on March 1; we expect the government to clamp down forcefully to prevent any trouble growing out of this or other potential demonstrations elsewhere. GARVEY