R 141646Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9571

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 000037 
 
 
FOR DS/DSS/OSAC AND DS/IP/AF - NICK BRASHICH 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC CM KSAC
SUBJECT: 2008 OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
CRIME/SAFETY REPORT FOR CAMEROON 
 
REF: 08 STATE 132056 
 
 
¶I.  OVERALL CRIME AND SAFETY SITUATION ) (SBU) 
 
Criminal activity continues to be a major concern for the 
official and private American community in Cameroon.  The 
U.S. State Department rates Cameroon as a critical crime 
threat post.  High unemployment and an ineffective police 
force continue to fuel criminality in Yaounde, Douala, and 
other towns in Cameroon.  Street crime is endemic in major 
metropolitan areas.  Wealthy Cameroonians, expatriates, and 
members of the diplomatic community  continue to be targeted. 
Persons have been robbed inside and outside their 
residences, on the street, and in shops.  In 2008, one 
diplomat and several expatriates were killed during street 
crime incidents. 
 
Residential crime also occurs frequently and most diplomats, 
expatriates, and wealthy Cameroonians rely on 24-hour private 
security guards to protect residences and other property. 
Most residential break-ins are perpetrated by small groups of 
armed bandits.  The preferred method of entry is to enter by 
stealth (using a rainstorm to mask their movements, or 
sneaking past a sleeping guard).  However, bandits are 
increasingly prone to overpowering guards to enter 
residences, usually using some ruse to get the guard to open 
the gate.  Persons resisting such a  break-in are likely to 
be injured and women of all ages are often sexually 
assaulted.  The U.S. Government provides 24-hour security for 
all of its official residences in Cameroon as unguarded 
properties are vulnerable and inviting for burglaries. 
 
II.  POLITICAL VIOLENCE ) (SBU) 
 
There were no instances of political violence or terrorism 
directed against Americans in 2008.  Ethnic/linguistic 
differences between the Anglophone and Francophone segments 
of the population continue to be a potential source of 
friction.  Radical Islamic fundamentalism has not been a 
significant factor in Cameroon.  However, recent reporting 
has indicated that there is a growing fundamentalist Islamic 
presence along the northern borders shared with Nigeria and 
Chad. 
 
III.  POST-SPECIFIC CONCERNS (SBU) 
 
Armed vehicle hijackings also continue to be a major cause of 
concern.  Some victims of vehicle hijackings are taken in the 
car by the bandits for several miles to ensure that any 
anti-theft device is deactivated.  Persons resisting a theft 
are likely to be injured or killed by the bandits.  The 
bandits prefer luxury 4WD vehicles such as Toyota Land 
Cruisers.  Most vehicle highjackings occur to single occupant 
vehicles and the US Embassy recommends that people avoid 
driving alone. 
 
Security in the northern, western, and eastern provinces of 
Cameroon and involving "coupeurs de route" has been an 
ongoing problem.  "Coupeurs de route" are gangs of armed 
bandits that target vehicles on the main commercial routes in 
the rural areas of Cameroon.  These gangs are known to 
operate out of areas close to the borders of Chad, Central 
African Republic and Nigeria.  The  bandits are known to be 
more active on market days in the larger towns.  The 
Government of Cameroon has had limited success in breaking up 
these gangs using rapid reaction forces stationed near the 
borders.  In December, a motorcade with an armed Cameroonian 
military escort was attacked during the day and several 
casualties were sustained. 
 
In response to these types of crimes, Cameroonian 
military/police checkpoints have been established throughout 
the country.  Although the diplomatic community is normally 
not affected by the police road stops, the police use these 
checkpoints to extort bribes, especially from individuals who 
do not have all their personal and vehicular documents in 
order.  Many times the amount of documentation requested is 
excessive and difficult to provide.  On several occasions, 
official diplomatic vehicles have been stopped by intoxicated 
police and military.  All persons should attempt to cooperate 
and follow the instructions of police at checkpoints to avoid 
problems.  It is not recommended to pay bribes or on-the-spot 
fines. 
 
The main roads in Cameroon are also dangerous for safety 
reasons.  Driver education is non-existent in Cameroon.  A 
large percentage of the population have not received any 
formal driver training and obtaining a drivers license 
through corrupt activities is commonplace.  It is quite 
common to find drunk drivers on the roads and some even use 
recreational drugs.  The US Embassy prohibits its employees 
from traveling outside of major cities after dark.  Large 
logging trucks, as well as other vehicles, travel the roads 
after dark.  Often these vehicles travel without lights and 
are frequently broken down on the side of the road or break 
down right in the road.  Drinking and driving is also a major 
concern and poses a significant risk after dark.  In late 
2008, a Chinese diplomat was killed in a vehicle accident on 
the main road linking Douala and Yaounde. 
 
IV.  POLICE RESPONSE ) (U) 
 
Local law enforcement and security personnel continue to be 
incapable of stemming crime.  Suspects are rarely caught and 
police response to an incident is often long after the fact, 
if at all.  The police and security forces suffer from a lack 
of leadership, training, and equipment and are poorly 
motivated.  In some cases, police forces are perpetrating 
criminal acts, or at least aiding and abetting the criminal 
element.  Security roadblocks set up throughout the country 
serve mostly as a venue for police and gendarmes to extort 
bribes from motorists. 
 
If U.S. citizens encounter difficulties, they should contact 
the local authorities and the U.S. Embassy.  Any American 
detained by local authorities should request to have the U.S. 
Embassy contacted immediately.  All American citizens living 
in or traveling to Cameroon are encouraged to register with 
the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde - Tel: 
(237) 2220-1500 ext. 4341 and to register online at 
www.travel.state.gov 
 
     Police: Dial 17 on landlines or 117 on cell phones 
 
     Fire:   Dial 18 on landlines or 118 on cell phones 
 
¶V.  MEDICAL EMERGENCIES ) (U) 
 
Medical and life safety services in Cameroon are limited. 
Any person living in or traveling to Cameroon should ensure 
that their health insurance covers medical evacuation via air 
ambulance. 
Local Hospitals: 
 
      Yaound General Hospital, Phone 2221-2018/19,2220-2244, 
or 2220-4477. A PHYSICIAN SHOULD BE CONTACTED WHEN A PATIENT 
IS TAKEN THERE. Medical Advisor: Dr. Njuimo Georges: direct 
line: 2221-2018, Mobile: 7771-0913. Hospital has about 100 
in-patient beds.  This hospital is the most advanced 
available locally and is kept generally clean. There are 7 
OR,s, which could be used if personnel and equipment were 
available. Nursing care is fair on the general wards and in 
the intensive care/surgical recovery areas. Emergency ward is 
open 24 hours daily.  Some physicians are excellent but 
medical care is somewhat unpredictable. 
 
      Central Hospital: Several very competent physicians 
with at least 20 in-patient beds and surgical suite. Phone: 
2223-4020 
 
      Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Yaounde, (CHUY). It 
is the university teaching facility.  Most specialties are 
available. Good up-to-date ambulance.  Has 24-hr Emergency 
department but not to U.S. standards. Phone: 2231-2566/ 
2231-2103. 
 
Ambulance Service: 
 
      Cameroon Assistance Sanitaire, located in Douala, three 
hours from Embassy.  Phone: 3342-7037.  Fax: 3342-0079. 
Response time is 3.5 hours to 4 hours.  They have planes and 
ambulances.  They will service Yaound if time permits. 
 
      Yaound General Hospital, 20 minutes from the Embassy, 
Phone 2221-2018.  They have two ambulances. 
 
      Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Yaounde, (CHUY) 20 
minutes from Embassy. Several fully stocked ambulances 
available. 
      Phone: 2231-2566/ 2231-2103. 
 
      SAMU (Emergency Ambulance Service) although located at 
Yaounde Central Hospital, will also transport patients to any 
facility desired. 
 
Air Ambulance: 
 
      Cameroon Assistance Sanitaire, Douala Phone: 3342-4891, 
3342-7037. Fax: 3342-00-79. Contact person - Mr. Soussie 
3330-9020. 
 
      Missionary Medevac Helicopter in Bamenda (Northwest 
Province) can be contacted through Pilot David Carmen or 
Baptist Mission 3336-1285. 
 
      SOS Assistance SA of Geneva, Phone: 41-(22)-785-6464, 
 
 
Telex: 41-(22)-785-6424.  Medevac from Cameroon to Europe. 
 
VI.  TIPS TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM 
 
The majority of hotels in Cameroon provide a basic level of 
security for their guests by employing security guards. 
However, travelers should remain vigilant in regard to 
personal security at all times.  Walking during the day in 
Cameroon is generally safe but one should not walk alone, 
especially single females. While out in town during the 
evening hours it is best to go with friends or in a group. 
People have been less likely to become victims when they have 
been in groups. 
 
One should avoid open displays of large amounts of cash. 
Anyone who has been the victim of a crime should immediately 
file a report with the police.  If a traveler is involved in 
an accident or other altercation and an angry crowd develops, 
the traveler should immediately go to the police, hospital or 
nearest hotel and ask the front desk to call the police. 
 
Local guard companies are limited in the quality of the 
service they offer.  However, residences are less likely to 
be burglarized with a guard present. 
 
VII.  EMBASSY CONTACT INFORMATION - (U) 
For further information: American Embassy Yaounde contact 
phone numbers: (237) 2220-1500.  Fax: (237) 2220-1500 ext. 
¶4355.  Marine Post 1:  ext. 4040.  American Citizen Services: 
ext. 4341.  Regional Security Office: ext. 4014/4185/4017. 
 
VIII.  COUNTRY COUNCIL INFORMATION ) (U) 
Cameroon has two country councils which meet quarterly.  The 
council in Douala (the shipping and business center) is very 
robust and will have increased meetings due to the arrival of 
the new Embassy Branch Office Director.  The council in 
Yaounde is growing and striving to increase its membership. 
For further information on OSAC Cameroon contact RSO Yaounde 
or visit the OSAC website at www.OSAC.gov. 
 
 
GARVEY