CAMEROON'S RELATIONS WITH ITS NEIGHBORS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YAOUNDE 000008

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CM ECON EFIN PGOV PREF PREL
SUBJECT: CAMEROON'S RELATIONS WITH ITS NEIGHBORS

REF: A. YAOUNDE 961

B. YAOUNDE 1057

C. YAOUNDE 1046

D. 09 ABUJA 2027

E. 09 ABUJA 2148

F. 09 LAGOS 0465


1. (SBU) Summary: In a December 16 meeting with Pol/Econ
Chief, the Foreign Ministry's Director for African Affairs
said recent visits to Cameroon by the Presidents of Chad and
Cental African Republic focused on security and regional
integration (especially the corruption scandal in the Central
African Bank - BEAC). Relations with Equatorial Guinea
remain strained but positive ties with Nigeria continue to
strengthen. While a gracious host to his counterparts, it is
not clear how actively President Biya is seeking a greater
regional leadership role. End summary.

Chad and CAR Discuss Security and BEAC
--------------


2. (SBU) Ministry of External Relations Director for
African Affairs and Minister Plenipotentiary Chantal Mfoula
Edjomo described Cameroon's relations with its neighbors as
"excellent," built on the principle of "peaceful
coexistence." The recent visits of Chadian President Idris
Deby (October 28-29) and Central African Republic (CAR)
President Francois Bozize (December 7-8) focused on two
priorities: border security and preparations for the
upcoming Central African Economic and Monetary Union (CEMAC)
meeting. Edjomo noted that Cameroon suffers the consequences
of conflicts in the region, especially trafficking in illicit
arms, highway banditry ("coupeurs de routes"),and refugees
(Cameroon hosts about 90,000 refugees). The Heads of State
worked to resolve these issues, as well as discussing the
need to more clearly demarcate their borders. They discussed
prospects for the return of refugees, although Edjomo
asserted that Cameroon would not turn back refugees.


3. (SBU) Reforming the Central African Bank (BEAC) tops the
CEMAC agenda, in the wake of recent corruption scandals (ref
A). There is a consensus that "the division of
responsibility" needs to be reexamined, Edjomo said, noting
that the scheduled December CEMAC meeting in Bangui was
postponed because of the Copenhagen climate change summit. A
new date has not yet been set, although it might be
mid-January to coincide with a scheduled meeting of the
Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC). She
noted that the issue of freedom of movement within the region
will likely also be discussed since Gabon and Equatorial
Guinea still required visas from other CEMAC members.


4. (U) The Presidents also discussed economic issues, since
both CAR and Chad depend heavily on transport and other
economic ties with Cameroon, Edjomo said. (Note: virtually
all of Bangui's and western CAR's imports come through
Douala. End note.) They talked about projects to improve
roads connecting them, to reduce losses on these roads (from
banditry and corruption). Biya and Bozize talked about
creating a joint training center for the mining sector.

Equatorial Guinea
--------------


5. (SBU) Edjomo acknowledged some tensions with Equatorial
Guinea. EG temporarily, unilaterally closed its border with
Cameroon because of alleged security concerns, she said.
(Note: the border has now been reopened. End note.) The EG
government is uncomfortable with the size of the Cameroonian
population in the country (which she estimated at 20-30,0000)
and in June expelled about 1,000 Cameroonians.

Nigeria
--------------


6. (SBU) Edjomo praised the "new spirit of relations" with
Nigeria which continues to flourish following the handover of
Bakassi in 2008. Over the past year, Nigerians participated
in a trade fair in Douala and Cameroonian businessmen
reciprocated in Calabar. Cameroon hopes at some point in the
future to export electricity to Nigeria from Adamoua Region.
The neighbors are cooperating in telecommunications and in
demarcating the border as part of the UN-sponsored Mixed
Commission process (more details septel). Edjomo
acknowledged some continuing areas of friction, noting, for
example, that the GRC was investigating claims that Nigerians
are being harassed by Cameroonian security forces in Bakassi.
Cameroonians are frustrated by apparently Nigerian-led
pirate and bandit attacks in the Southwest Region (including
Bakassi) and offshore.


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Comment
--------------


7. (SBU) Cameroon's relationship with its neighbors is
generally excellent and improving, with the exception of
Equatorial Guinea. Ali Bongo's visit was hailed in the press
as "having an air of renewal" and "putting an end to a long
rivalry". The recent start of border demarcation is a
further sign of stronger Cameroon-Nigeria ties. Relations
with Congo-Brazaville are good, although the GRC has given
that country less attention in the past year than other
neighbors. During the Deby and Bozize visits, Biya
proclaimed "your security is our security," while also
discussing the free movement of people, plans to sell
Cameroonian power, educational ties, forestry cooperation,
the Copenhagen climate change summit and institutional ties,
according to the local press. During Deby's visit, both
presidents highlighted the importance of the COTCO oil
pipeline and the Douala-Ndjemena road connection. According
to press reports, President Deby thanked Cameroon for its
financial assistance in helping repel rebel attacks.


8. (SBU) EG-Cameroon tensions have been exacerbated in
recent years not only by the expulsion of Cameroonians and
maritime border disputes but by the 2008 kidnapping by EG of
an army colonel who had been granted asylum in Cameroon.
Nonetheless, Cameroon and EG have worked together to reform
BEAC, cooperated in a September conference to demarcate
maritime borders, and met in Mixed Commission meetings to
discuss various disputes. According to senior government
officials, Biya works to contain bilateral disputes.


9. (SBU) Edjomo preferred not to use the word "leadership"
in discussing President Biya's regional role. During his
July meeting with French President Sarkozy, Biya had offered
to "be available to help" on regional issues, Edjomo said,
but his role was largely dictated by his age (76). As the
elder statesman in Central Africa, regional heads of state
felt they had to consult Biya on major issues, according to
Edjomo. Deby and Bozize had initiated contact to visit
Cameroon, she said, adding that Biya then "according to
protocol" extended an invitation. The September 11 visit of
Ali Bongo was different because he was making a regional tour
as a President-elect, she noted (although the BEAC issue,
which implicated Gabon, was hot at the time).


10. (SBU) Edjomo's view of President Biya as a default
regional leader contrasts with the perspective recently
offered by senior presidential aide Rene Sadi, who told
Ambassador that Biya is more actively assuming "natural"
Central African leadership following the death of former
Gabonese President Omar Bongo. As suggested ref C, Biya's
regional activism may reflect domestic political signaling
and concern for his legacy more than a new interest in
regional affairs. That said, Cameroon does have interests at
stake in its relationship with the region, not the least of
which is keeping its neighbors at peace. As one of the more
stable, prosperous, and strategically located countries in
the area, Cameroon is likely to stay engaged bilaterally
while continuing on the track of what Biya called the "wise
slowness" of regional integration efforts.
GARVEY