VZCZCXRO9542
OO RUCNESB RUEHMA
DE RUEHYD #0192 0590903
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 280903Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8627
INFO RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 1361
RUEHLC/AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE 1608
RUEHMA/AMEMBASSY MALABO 0270
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 0430
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUCNESB/USDEL FEST TWO 0010

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 000192 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/C,  DS/IP/AF,  DS/DSS/CC 
NDJAMENA PLEASE PASS TO DAS SWAN 
 
E.O. 12958: n/a 
TAGS: ASEC CASC PHUM ELAB PINR PGOV KPAO CM
SUBJECT:  CAMEROON: RIOTS AND TAXI STRIKE STILL IN FORCE 
 
REF: (A) YAOUNDE 0190 (B) YAOUNDE 0121 (C) YAOUNDE 0182 
 
¶1. (U) Embassy Yaounde convened the Emergency Action Committee at 
08:30am local time on February 27 to discuss the security situation 
throughout the country and to reaffirm the hold-fast travel policy 
in place for USG employees and other American citizens throughout 
the country. In attendance were AMB, DCM, RSO, DAO, POL, MGT, CONS 
and PA. The EAC reconvened at 3:00pm. 
 
¶2. (U) The reports of violence, looting and burning in various parts 
of the country continued through the night of February 26-27.  Late 
on February 26, the National Taxi and Transporters Union and the GRC 
signed an agreement to end the taxi strike and reduce gas prices by 
5 FCFA (1 US cent), far short of the taxi drivers' demands.  As a 
result the taxi and transporter strike continues in much of the 
country.  There were a few taxis operating in Yaounde however by 
10am local time they stopped operating. I n the North and Far North 
Province the taxi drivers did not participate in the strike as most 
of their gas tends to be smuggled from Nigeria. 
 
¶3. (U) There are reports that strikers in Douala have concentrated 
their efforts to prevent gas-tank trucks from traveling from Limbe 
through Douala to supply gas to other parts of the country. S me 
pharmacies and bakeries in the upscale neighborhoods of Douala are 
open for limited hours to allow the population to purchase needed 
items. On February 27, helicopters flew over Douala to monitor two 
youth demonstrations.   There is currently no water in Douala 
because according to the national water company SNEC (Societe 
Nationale des Eaux du Cameroun) authorities are unable to get 
chlorine to clean the water.   Two US companies in Douala are 
evacuating their staff.  The most troublesome areas continue to be 
Douala in the Littoral Province and Baffoussam in the West Province. 
 There are unconfirmed reports that two people were killed in 
Baffoussam in direct confrontation with security forces.  In most 
cities shops and gas stations remain closed. 
 
¶4. (U) The highway connecting Douala and Yaounde is still blocked by 
demonstrators. The Douala airport is open with regularly scheduled 
flights from the major airlines. Despite the opening of Douala 
airport, passengers continue to face difficulties leaving the 
airport due to security concerns. 
 
¶5. (U) Since February 27, there has been an increase in rioting and 
looting around the markets in downtown Yaounde.  In several 
neighborhoods, including the upscale neighborhood of Bastos (where 
Embassy employees reside), gun shots have been heard. The company Le 
Bus, in Yaounde, recalled all urban buses due to security problems. 
For a short while, Peace Corps staff located in the Omnisport area 
of Yaounde was unable to leave their offices due to riots. 
 
Embassy Actions 
----------------------- 
 
¶6. (U) The Embassy continues to reinforce no inter-city travel 
throughout Cameroon.  The Embassy has issued a Warden Message 
discouraging American Citizens from traveling in Yaounde until the 
situation is brought under control.  The American School in Douala 
remains closed.  On February 25, the American School of Yaounde 
cancelled all afternoon activities and due to the deteriorating 
security situation in Yaounde,  it  closed early on February 27 and 
will remain closed on February 28.  The Ambassador held a town hall 
meeting to update personnel about the Embassy situation. 
 
¶7. (U) The Consular Section has suspended all non- emergency service 
indefinitely and has borrowed other Embassy personnel to staff a 
control room- phone number (237) 2220-1500 x 4033, e-mail 
YaoundeACS@state.gov.  Consular personnel have advised Americans in 
Douala, Yaounde and the Littoral, West, SouthWest, and North West 
Provinces not to leave their residence due to widespread unrest. 
The Consular Section remains in close contact with wardens and are 
tracking the situation of American Citizens throughout the country 
(estimate: 2000) particularly  the approximately 50 individuals who 
have some interest in evacuation.  The Consular Section is currently 
handling a rapidly growing number of calls from families that are 
inquiring about evacuation plans and options. 
 
 
GARVEY