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