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Cameroon - US Relations

The United States established diplomatic relations with Cameroon in 1960, following the independence of the French-administered part of the country. Cameroon has had two presidents since independence. U.S. relations with Cameroon are positive, although from time to time they have been affected by concerns over human rights abuses and the pace of political and economic liberalization. The two countries are partners in countering regional threats to stability, such as the threat of Boko Haram, and addressing issues of democracy, regional security, environmental protection, public health, and economic development. The United States hopes to continue to work with Cameroon to consolidate democratic gains and economic growth, particularly as Cameroon embarks upon senatorial, municipal and legislative elections planned for 2013. The United States supports Cameroon's efforts to strengthen electoral institutions, enhance transparency, and allow for contestation of results.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) runs a number of programs in Cameroon, mainly through its regional office in Ghana, and primarily in the health sector. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also has activities in Cameroon, mostly in HIV/AIDS prevention. Peace Corps volunteers work in maternal child health, youth empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods. The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Cameroon organizes and funds diverse cultural, educational, and informational exchanges. It maintains a library and helps foster the development of Cameroon's independent press by providing information in a number of areas, including U.S. human rights and democratization policies. The Embassy administers both the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help and Democracy and Human Rights Fund programs and the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation. Through several State Department and USAID regional funds, the Embassy also provides funds for biodiversity protection, refugees, civic engagement in elections processes, democratization, human rights, countering violent extremism, and education.

Cameroon is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Cameroon's exports to the United States include petroleum, cocoa, rubber, timber, and coffee while imports from the United States include machinery, chemicals, aircraft, vehicles, and plastics. The United States is a leading investor in Cameroon, largely through the Chad-Cameroon petroleum pipeline project. The United States and Cameroon have a bilateral investment treaty.

Cameroon is a key US security partner. Some 300 US troops are based in the northern town of Garoua to train and assist the Cameroonian military, including in its fight against extremism in the country’s far northern region. Cameroon and its neighbors welcomed the US decision in October 2015 to send troops to the country to help track Boko Haram militants in the region. The announcement comes amid an increasing number of suicide attacks on civilians in border areas of Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger. Boko Haram had killed about 400 civilians in northern Cameroon since last year. The group's brazen attacks in recent months have led the government to beef up its military presence in the region with backing from Chad. For example, public buildings throughout the capital, Yaounde, have been fitted with metal detectors. The Obama administration announced it will deploy up to 300 military personnel to Cameroon for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations against Boko Haram insurgents.

The top US diplomat for Africa said in December 2018 that he feared a separatist crisis in the central African nation could get “much, much” worse and warned against a “brutal response” to extremism. Cameroon also faces a threat from Boko Haram fighters based in neighbouring Nigeria.

The United States ambassador to Cameroon said on 07 February 2019 that despite the announcement that the US has cut military aid to Cameroon, relations between the two countries remain excellent. Ambassador Peter Henry Barlerin met with Cameroon’s government spokesperson Rene Emmanuel Sadi a day after the US said it’s cutting military aid to Cameroon over human rights concerns after growing allegations of abuses by security forces. “We are not going to stop security cooperation with Cameroon. We have our differences, Cameroon is a sovereign country and the United States is a sovereign country,” Barlerin said. “Relations between Cameroon and the United states are excellent and longstanding and we aim to continue that relationship.”

The Pentagon and State Department said the reduced US support involves armored vehicles, boats, aircraft upkeep and parts, helicopter training and an invitation to a partnership program. The US decision came after videos circulated online last year showing Cameroonian security forces shooting and killing civilians, including women with small children strapped to their backs. The videos were verified by Amnesty International and other global media outlets.