VZCZCXRO2855
OO RUCNESB RUEHMA
DE RUEHYD #0203 0630905
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 030905Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8638
RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 1368
RUEHLC/AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE 1615
RUEHMA/AMEMBASSY MALABO 0277
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 0437
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUCNESB/USDEL FEST TWO 0017

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 000203 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR TF-1, DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, DS/OSAC, AF/C, DS/DSS/CC 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12598:  N/A 
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC AMGT KFLO KSAC MARR PHUM PINR PGOV
PREL, KPAO, CM 
 
SUBJECT:  TFCM-01: SITREP 1 
 
Ref: Yaounde 0121, Yaounde 0182, Yaounde 0191, Yaounde 0192 
 
¶1. (U) Embassy Yaounde EAC met at 08:30 local time on February 29 to 
discuss the security situation in Cameroon.  In attendance were AMB, 
DCM, RSO, DAO, POL/ECON, MGT, PA, CONS, and Peace Corps. 
 
"Enforced calm" throughout most of Cameroon 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (U)  Overnight and into the morning of February 29, the cities of 
Douala and Yaounde remained in a state of "enforced calm."  Taxis 
have returned to the streets of Yaounde, though not in full force. 
In Douala, most local businesses that cater to the general 
population remain closed and there are fewer taxis on the streets. 
In Yaounde some stores, banks, and schools are open.  The American 
Schools remain closed in both cities.  There are still several areas 
in the country where tensions remain high; these are mainly located 
in the West and Northwest provinces. 
 
¶3. (U)  The airports in Yaounde and Douala remain open, with 
sufficient fuel supply for scheduled flights to operate throughout 
the weekend.  The Peace Corps main office in Yaounde reopened on 
February 29 and all Peace Corps staff and Volunteers are safe. 
 
¶4. (U)  As of 06:30 on February 29, the two separate 
French-organized convoys are en route to Yaounde, one from Bamenda 
via the West, and one from the Southwest via Douala.  Both are 
traveling with Cameroonian military escorts and both include various 
diplomats and expatriates, including official and private Americans. 
 Post has remained in close contact with the Embassy officers in 
these motorcades. 
 
Embassy Actions 
--------------- 
 
¶5. (U)  The Embassy is issuing a security notice requiring official 
Americans to restrict their travel to daylight hours, reminding them 
of no inter-city travel and the need to limit unnecessary outings. 
Because the next few days include numerous unknowns, the Embassy 
will enforce this policy throughout the weekend. 
 
¶6. (U) The Embassy will maintain task force staffing throughout the 
weekend, to include the control room already operating in the 
Consular section.  Contact information on key Embassy personnel has 
been emailed to TF-1.  The Embassy Branch Office in Douala remains 
closed, and the Director remains in his residence; he reports that 
he has been able to purchase food and gas and that his neighborhood 
is quiet.  Ambassador will address the Embassy staff in another Town 
Hall meeting on February 29. 
 
¶7. (U) Embassy classified email remains down.  Classified intranet 
is accessible, as is cable traffic. 
 
¶8. (SBU) Comment.  The current calm in Yaounde, Douala, and 
elsewhere prevails only because of the massive and unprecedented 
military presence.  Every military unit in the country has been 
mobilized, and some have moved from volatile areas in Cameroon's 
east to Yaounde and other hot spots.  Government officials "ordered" 
taxi operators to resume operations and shopkeepers to reopen their 
shops.  There is an opposition rally planned for Douala on March 1; 
we expect the government to clamp down forcefully to prevent any 
trouble growing out of this or other potential demonstrations 
elsewhere. 
 
 
GARVEY