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FM AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
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INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0419
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RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE 0205
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YAOUNDE 000885 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AORC PREL CM
SUBJECT: Cameroon Requests Support for ICJ Candidate 
 
¶1.  (U) Summary:  The Government of Cameroon has requested USG 
support for its candidate to the International Court of Justice, 
Professor Maurice Kamto.  Kamto is an outstanding legal figure in 
Cameroon, whose experience in settling the Bakassi dispute and in 
unifying Anglophone and Francophone criminal and civil procedure 
codes make him a very strong candidate.  End summary. 
 
An Oustanding Jurist 
------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (U)  A renowned jurist, Professor Maurice Kamto is currently 
Minister Delegate in 
Cameroon's Ministry of Justice.  Prior to becoming a minister in 
2004, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Legal and Political 
Sciences at Yaounde II University, one of Cameroon's state 
universities.  In addition to his normal duties as Minister, he 
teaches in several Cameroonian state universities and higher 
institutions of learning, including the International Relations 
Institute (IRIC) and the National School of Administration and 
Magistracy (ENAM).  Professor Kamto is also Associate Professor in 
several universities in Europe and Africa, as well as The Hague 
Academy of International Law, and is frequently called upon to act 
as a consultant for an array of local and international 
organizations.  Professor Kamto is also a member of the United 
Nations International Law Commission.  He has written over 50 
articles and several books on international law, including: 
 
Droit de l'Environnement en Afrique (The Law of Environment in 
Africa) 
 
L'OUA, Retrospective et Perspectives Africaines " (A Look Back at 
the OAU, 
           And African Prospects) 
 
Decheance Politique (Political Decline) 
 
Pouvoir et Droit en Afrique Noire: Essai sur Les Fondements du 
Constitutionnalisme dans les Etats d'Afrique Noire Francophone 
(Power and The Law in Black Africa: An Essay on the Foundations of 
Constitutionalism In French-Speaking Black African States) 
 
L'Urgence de la Pensee : Reflexions sur une Precondition du 
Developpement en Afrique (Urgency in Thinking : Reflections on a 
Prerequisite to Development in Africa) 
 
Key Player in Bakassi 
--------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (U)  Professor Kamto played a key role in settling the Bakassi 
dispute between Cameroon and Nigeria.  In 1994, he was named 
co-agent and legal counsel for Cameroon on this case, and his 
knowledge of international law and contributions proved instrumental 
in gaining the ICJ's favorable ruling for Cameroon.  When Cameroon 
and Nigeria signed the Greentree Agreement on the implementation of 
the ICJ ruling of October 10, 2002, Kamto was named Delegation 
Leader for Cameroon to the Follow-up Committee of the Agreement.  On 
August 14, 2008, on behalf of the GRC, he signed the final transfer 
documents of Bakassi to Cameroon. 
 
Further Bio Information 
---------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (U)  Maurice Kamto was born in 1954 and is a native of the West 
Province of Cameroon.  He studied at the following universities and 
institutions: University of Yaounde; Institut des Hautes Etudes 
Internationales, Nice, France; Institut d'Administration Publique de 
Paris; Universite de Nice, France.  He holds the following 
qualifications: PhD in International Law (1983) (First Class, with 
Distinction); Diploma of the Public Administration Institute (1982); 
Diploma in Extensive Studies in International Law (1980); Diploma in 
Extensive Studies in Fundamental Public Law (1980); Certificate in 
European Communities Studies (1980); Diploma in International Higher 
Studies (1980); Bachelors Degree in Public Law (1979); "Agrege des 
Facultes francaises de Droit" (Grade of Full Professor of Law).  In 
1997, Professor Kamto was called to the Paris Bar.  Kamto is fluent 
in French and speaks excellent English.  He enjoys the reputation of 
a brilliant intellectual with strong ideas on democracy and human 
rights.  Kamto has always had a friendly relationship with the 
private press.  He is a member of the editorial board of 
"Mutations", a reputable Yaounde-based private daily newspaper.  He 
is married to a career diplomat who is the Director of European 
Affairs in the Ministry of External Relations.  He has five 
children. 
 
Comment 
------------ 
 
¶6.  (U)  Post believes Professor Kamto is a very strong candidate 
 
YAOUNDE 00000885  002 OF 002 
 
 
for election to the ICJ.  As one of the most qualified international 
lawyers in Sub-Saharan Africa, he is well known to post and his 
professionalism, dedication, and experience are impressive. 
Professor Kamto was singled out as an outstanding lawyer in the 
Bakassi border dispute, and his election will provide him with the 
opportunity to contribute to the ICJ's work at the international 
level.  Kamto has also been actively involved in creating new 
Criminal and Civil Procedure codes which unify the application of 
the country's Anglophone and Francophone legal systems.  His 
familiarity with both systems would be an asset in the ICJ.   In 
addition, Cameroon has been increasingly helpful on international 
issues of importance to the USG and support for Kamto would help 
encourage further cooperation.  End comment. 
 
GARVEY