CAMEROON AND THE AU SUMMIT

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 000052 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/RSA - RYAN BOWLES AND LAURA GRIESMER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC CM OVIP PREL XA SUBJECT: CAMEROON AND THE AU SUMMIT REF: STATE 3353 ¶1. (SBU) In a January 21 meeting with Ambassador, Foreign Minister Henri Eyebe Ayissi confirmed that he will attend the January 30-February 2 African Union summit in Addis Ababa. Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development Louis Paul Motaze received a special invitation and is also planning to attend, while Minister of Health Andre Mama Fouda might also go to participate in a discussion of malaria, according to Ayissi. The Foreign Minister is only beginning to focus on the timing and logistics of his trip but said the best way to contact the Cameroonian delegation will be through their Ambassador in Addis Ababa. ¶2. (SBU) Post has informed President Paul Biya of Assistant Secretary Carson's request for a meeting on the margins of the AU summit. In a January 22 meeting with Pol/Econ Chief, Presidential Chief of Staff Martin Belinga said Biya was not currently planning to attend the summit but he promised to notify us if plans change. If Biya does not attend, the Foreign Minister will be Cameroon's head of delegation. GARVEY