2008 OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 000037


FOR DS/DSS/OSAC AND DS/IP/AF - NICK BRASHICH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CM KSAC
SUBJECT: 2008 OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
CRIME/SAFETY REPORT FOR CAMEROON

REF: 08 STATE 132056



I. OVERALL CRIME AND SAFETY SITUATION ) (SBU)

Criminal activity continues to be a major concern for the
official and private American community in Cameroon. The
U.S. State Department rates Cameroon as a critical crime
threat post. High unemployment and an ineffective police
force continue to fuel criminality in Yaounde, Douala, and
other towns in Cameroon. Street crime is endemic in major
metropolitan areas. Wealthy Cameroonians, expatriates, and
members of the diplomatic community continue to be targeted.
Persons have been robbed inside and outside their
residences, on the street, and in shops. In 2008, one
diplomat and several expatriates were killed during street
crime incidents.

Residential crime also occurs frequently and most diplomats,
expatriates, and wealthy Cameroonians rely on 24-hour private
security guards to protect residences and other property.
Most residential break-ins are perpetrated by small groups of
armed bandits. The preferred method of entry is to enter by
stealth (using a rainstorm to mask their movements, or
sneaking past a sleeping guard). However, bandits are
increasingly prone to overpowering guards to enter
residences, usually using some ruse to get the guard to open
the gate. Persons resisting such a break-in are likely to
be injured and women of all ages are often sexually
assaulted. The U.S. Government provides 24-hour security for
all of its official residences in Cameroon as unguarded
properties are vulnerable and inviting for burglaries.

II. POLITICAL VIOLENCE ) (SBU)

There were no instances of political violence or terrorism
directed against Americans in 2008. Ethnic/linguistic
differences between the Anglophone and Francophone segments
of the population continue to be a potential source of
friction. Radical Islamic fundamentalism has not been a
significant factor in Cameroon. However, recent reporting
has indicated that there is a growing fundamentalist Islamic
presence along the northern borders shared with Nigeria and
Chad.

III. POST-SPECIFIC CONCERNS (SBU)

Armed vehicle hijackings also continue to be a major cause of
concern. Some victims of vehicle hijackings are taken in the
car by the bandits for several miles to ensure that any
anti-theft device is deactivated. Persons resisting a theft
are likely to be injured or killed by the bandits. The
bandits prefer luxury 4WD vehicles such as Toyota Land
Cruisers. Most vehicle highjackings occur to single occupant
vehicles and the US Embassy recommends that people avoid
driving alone.

Security in the northern, western, and eastern provinces of
Cameroon and involving "coupeurs de route" has been an
ongoing problem. "Coupeurs de route" are gangs of armed
bandits that target vehicles on the main commercial routes in
the rural areas of Cameroon. These gangs are known to
operate out of areas close to the borders of Chad, Central
African Republic and Nigeria. The bandits are known to be
more active on market days in the larger towns. The
Government of Cameroon has had limited success in breaking up
these gangs using rapid reaction forces stationed near the
borders. In December, a motorcade with an armed Cameroonian
military escort was attacked during the day and several
casualties were sustained.

In response to these types of crimes, Cameroonian
military/police checkpoints have been established throughout
the country. Although the diplomatic community is normally
not affected by the police road stops, the police use these
checkpoints to extort bribes, especially from individuals who
do not have all their personal and vehicular documents in
order. Many times the amount of documentation requested is
excessive and difficult to provide. On several occasions,
official diplomatic vehicles have been stopped by intoxicated
police and military. All persons should attempt to cooperate
and follow the instructions of police at checkpoints to avoid
problems. It is not recommended to pay bribes or on-the-spot
fines.

The main roads in Cameroon are also dangerous for safety
reasons. Driver education is non-existent in Cameroon. A
large percentage of the population have not received any
formal driver training and obtaining a drivers license
through corrupt activities is commonplace. It is quite
common to find drunk drivers on the roads and some even use
recreational drugs. The US Embassy prohibits its employees
from traveling outside of major cities after dark. Large
logging trucks, as well as other vehicles, travel the roads
after dark. Often these vehicles travel without lights and
are frequently broken down on the side of the road or break
down right in the road. Drinking and driving is also a major
concern and poses a significant risk after dark. In late
2008, a Chinese diplomat was killed in a vehicle accident on
the main road linking Douala and Yaounde.

IV. POLICE RESPONSE ) (U)

Local law enforcement and security personnel continue to be
incapable of stemming crime. Suspects are rarely caught and
police response to an incident is often long after the fact,
if at all. The police and security forces suffer from a lack
of leadership, training, and equipment and are poorly
motivated. In some cases, police forces are perpetrating
criminal acts, or at least aiding and abetting the criminal
element. Security roadblocks set up throughout the country
serve mostly as a venue for police and gendarmes to extort
bribes from motorists.

If U.S. citizens encounter difficulties, they should contact
the local authorities and the U.S. Embassy. Any American
detained by local authorities should request to have the U.S.
Embassy contacted immediately. All American citizens living
in or traveling to Cameroon are encouraged to register with
the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde - Tel:
(237) 2220-1500 ext. 4341 and to register online at
www.travel.state.gov

Police: Dial 17 on landlines or 117 on cell phones

Fire: Dial 18 on landlines or 118 on cell phones


V. MEDICAL EMERGENCIES ) (U)

Medical and life safety services in Cameroon are limited.
Any person living in or traveling to Cameroon should ensure
that their health insurance covers medical evacuation via air
ambulance.
Local Hospitals:

Yaound General Hospital, Phone 2221-2018/19,2220-2244,
or 2220-4477. A PHYSICIAN SHOULD BE CONTACTED WHEN A PATIENT
IS TAKEN THERE. Medical Advisor: Dr. Njuimo Georges: direct
line: 2221-2018, Mobile: 7771-0913. Hospital has about 100
in-patient beds. This hospital is the most advanced
available locally and is kept generally clean. There are 7
OR,s, which could be used if personnel and equipment were
available. Nursing care is fair on the general wards and in
the intensive care/surgical recovery areas. Emergency ward is
open 24 hours daily. Some physicians are excellent but
medical care is somewhat unpredictable.

Central Hospital: Several very competent physicians
with at least 20 in-patient beds and surgical suite. Phone:
2223-4020

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Yaounde, (CHUY). It
is the university teaching facility. Most specialties are
available. Good up-to-date ambulance. Has 24-hr Emergency
department but not to U.S. standards. Phone: 2231-2566/
2231-2103.

Ambulance Service:

Cameroon Assistance Sanitaire, located in Douala, three
hours from Embassy. Phone: 3342-7037. Fax: 3342-0079.
Response time is 3.5 hours to 4 hours. They have planes and
ambulances. They will service Yaound if time permits.

Yaound General Hospital, 20 minutes from the Embassy,
Phone 2221-2018. They have two ambulances.

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Yaounde, (CHUY) 20
minutes from Embassy. Several fully stocked ambulances
available.
Phone: 2231-2566/ 2231-2103.

SAMU (Emergency Ambulance Service) although located at
Yaounde Central Hospital, will also transport patients to any
facility desired.

Air Ambulance:

Cameroon Assistance Sanitaire, Douala Phone: 3342-4891,
3342-7037. Fax: 3342-00-79. Contact person - Mr. Soussie
3330-9020.

Missionary Medevac Helicopter in Bamenda (Northwest
Province) can be contacted through Pilot David Carmen or
Baptist Mission 3336-1285.

SOS Assistance SA of Geneva, Phone: 41-(22)-785-6464,


Telex: 41-(22)-785-6424. Medevac from Cameroon to Europe.

VI. TIPS TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM

The majority of hotels in Cameroon provide a basic level of
security for their guests by employing security guards.
However, travelers should remain vigilant in regard to
personal security at all times. Walking during the day in
Cameroon is generally safe but one should not walk alone,
especially single females. While out in town during the
evening hours it is best to go with friends or in a group.
People have been less likely to become victims when they have
been in groups.

One should avoid open displays of large amounts of cash.
Anyone who has been the victim of a crime should immediately
file a report with the police. If a traveler is involved in
an accident or other altercation and an angry crowd develops,
the traveler should immediately go to the police, hospital or
nearest hotel and ask the front desk to call the police.

Local guard companies are limited in the quality of the
service they offer. However, residences are less likely to
be burglarized with a guard present.

VII. EMBASSY CONTACT INFORMATION - (U)
For further information: American Embassy Yaounde contact
phone numbers: (237) 2220-1500. Fax: (237) 2220-1500 ext.

4355. Marine Post 1: ext. 4040. American Citizen Services:
ext. 4341. Regional Security Office: ext. 4014/4185/4017.

VIII. COUNTRY COUNCIL INFORMATION ) (U)
Cameroon has two country councils which meet quarterly. The
council in Douala (the shipping and business center) is very
robust and will have increased meetings due to the arrival of
the new Embassy Branch Office Director. The council in
Yaounde is growing and striving to increase its membership.
For further information on OSAC Cameroon contact RSO Yaounde
or visit the OSAC website at www.OSAC.gov.


GARVEY