CAMEROON: DEMARCHE ON FOOD SECURITY

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 000551 STATE FOR AF/C AND EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT - JSPECK, GCLEMENTS, DMORTON STATE - PASS USAID E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR EAID PREL SUBJECT: CAMEROON: DEMARCHE ON FOOD SECURITY REF: STATE 58996 ¶1. On June 18, Pol/Econ Chief delivered reftel demarche to Eko'o Akouafane, Secretary General at Cameroon's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Akouafane said that in response to the current global economic crisis and February 2008 riots (which were in part a response to high food prices),the Government of Cameroon (GRC) put in place a three-year action plan to reinforce national food security. The GRC has budget substantial funds for this effort and is also seeking donor support. Cameroon's food security is important to the Central African region, especially Gabon, Congo, Chad and Equatorial Guinea, which depend heavily on basic food imports from Cameroon, he noted. Akoufane added that Cameroon would like to be invited to participate in the G8 Summit in L'Aquila. GARVEY