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INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YAOUNDE 000827 
 
STATE FOR S/GPI 
DEPT PASS TO USAID 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: BEXP BTIO EAID OEXC OIIP PGOV PHUM PREL SCUL SMIG
TSPL, EINV, CM 
 
SUBJECT: The Cameroonian Diaspora 
 
REF: STATE 78535 
 
¶1.  Post offers the following in responses to reftel request: 
¶A.  There are several different diaspora groups scattered over the 
U.S., France, and other European countries.  Some of the more 
significant groups in the U.S. include:  the Progressive Initiative 
for Cameroon (PICAM), a civil society think-tank that works on 
seeking ideas for a better Cameroon; the All Cameroon Cultural And 
Development Fund (ACCDF), working to protect and promote Cameroonian 
culture from all regions; the Southern Cameroons National Council 
(SCNC); and the Civil Society Platform for Democracy in Cameroon, 
Platform USA Branch.  The ruling political party, the Cameroon 
People's Democratic Movement (CPDM), and the main opposition Social 
Democratic Front (SDF), also have branches in the U.S. 
 
¶B.  Cameroonians in the diaspora keep ties with their families by 
sending them remittances, participating in village development 
programs, and making direct contributions to educational 
institutions through book donations, for example. 
 
¶C.  The GRC has had minimal formal engagement with the diaspora in 
the humanitarian realm.  Cameroon's new Ambassador to the United 
States, Joseph Charles Bienvenu Foe-Atangana, recently addressed the 
Cameroonian diaspora at a National Day reception in the following 
terms: "I call upon you to use your Embassy as a facilitating place 
for your American connections to converge in our strategy to drive 
investments to Cameroon." 
 
¶D.  Diaspora investment is difficult to track systematically, but 
many believe most of the best real estate in Cameroon is owned by 
members of the diaspora. Some have created small to medium sized 
businesses in Cameroon to take advantage of relatively cheap labor. 
 
 
¶E.  There is little or no diaspora involvement in the scientific, 
engineering, medical or educational institutions.  Recently, a 
"telemedicine" center was created in the East Region, envisioning 
cheap, long distance consultations and diagnosis.  In addition, 
medical exchange programs initiated by Cameroonians in the diaspora 
have recently brought health professionals to provide free medical 
care.  Some members of the diaspora have founded small development 
NGOs in order to provide humanitarian assistance to their home 
communities. 
 
¶F.  The diaspora does not seem to be engaged in conflict resolution, 
other than exhorting the current regime to reform politically to 
avoid a repeat of the violence in 2008. 
 
¶G.  See E above. 
 
¶H.  Cameroonians in the diaspora exert some influence on internal 
politics.  The major political parties have overseas arms that rally 
sympathizers among the diaspora and provide some financing. 
Diaspora groups are active in the realm of political commentary and 
expression.  For example, in early August 2009, a Cameroonian 
journalist who lives in New York wrote an editorial in a prominent 
independent daily newspaper in which he opines that terminating the 
presidential regime would solve many of Cameroon's problems.  In 
March 2008, following the February 2008 riots, Platform USA Branch 
wrote a letter to Cameroonian Parliamentarians urging them to 
consult with their constituents before passing the constitutional 
reform bill to preserve the peace.  They also demarched President 
Biya, through a Memorandum presented to Cameroon's ambassador in 
Washington. 
 
¶I.  The GRC does not dedicate resources to the Cameroonian diaspora. 
 During a forum of the Cameroonian Diaspora held in France in July, 
2008 called "DAVOC" (Draw a Vision of Cameroon), the government 
representative announced the future creation of a High Commission or 
a High Authority of the diaspora that would liaise between 
Cameroonians living abroad and the government.  The General Manager 
of the National Employment Fund (FNE), a government agency, also 
announced the creation in 2010 of an Agency for Migration Fluxes 
that would allow the government and citizens from the diaspora to 
work together to finance projects and attract investment. 
 
¶J.  Ambassador Garvey and former Ambassador Marquardt have 
occasionally addressed groups of Cameroonian diaspora leaders when 
in the United States.  For example, Post organized a diaspora 
meeting in Washington in 2006 in which Ambassador Marquardt 
addressed the Cameroonian community.  Topics included returning 
talent to Cameroon, bringing more investment, being involved in the 
political evolution of the country, and involving women in diaspora 
affairs.  Ambassador Garvey will also address a group of 
Cameroonians on October 8, 2009 when in Washington for the AF Chiefs 
of Mission conference. 
 
¶K.  Most requests received are related to business inquiries. Many 
Cameroonians in the U.S. are seeking investment and trade 
 
YAOUNDE 00000827  002 OF 002 
 
 
opportunities with Cameroon.  Post responds to them in the same 
manner as it responds to every request for assistance by American 
businesses. 
 
¶L.  Post has not created customized public diplomacy programs for 
the diaspora community, other than the events listed in section J. 
 
¶M.  A most useful tool for post would be a database of Cameroonian 
organizations in the U.S., including a description of activities and 
the major figures associated with the organization. 
 
PETERSON