From April 24–27, Ambassador Christopher J. Lamora accomplished his third go to to the Southwest Area, reaffirming the U.S. Embassy’s enduring dedication to peace, prosperity, and partnership with Cameroon. The go to additionally highlighted the lasting friendship between the American and Cameroonian folks, notably through his visits with the Paramount Chiefs of each Limbe and Buea, and his participation within the Cameroon Worldwide Movie Pageant (CAMIFF).
Tangible Progress in Peace and Stability
In his assembly with the Governor of the Southwest Area, the Ambassador emphasised the significance of peace and stability as cornerstones of sustainable growth, acknowledging the federal government’s efforts to enhance the lives of its residents in main cities within the area. Highlighting this theme, the Ambassador additionally visited the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) Middle in Tiko. There, he met with Director Bernard Ngone, who described the middle’s efforts to reintegrating ex-combatants by vocational coaching, ethical schooling, and powerful collaboration with native communities. The Ambassador additionally visited Man O’Conflict Base in Limbe, residence to key models of Cameroon’s Speedy Intervention Battalion (BIR). In discussions with Colonel Henri Belinga, he heard in regards to the BIR’s strides in professionalizing its forces and enhancing coaching on the legislation of armed battle and respect for internationally acknowledged human rights—underscoring the optimistic results of the longstanding U.S.–Cameroon safety partnership.
Increasing Financial Ties: U.S. Seeks New Avenues for Cooperation
Whereas in Limbe, the Ambassador visited the Port Authority of Limbe, the place he mentioned infrastructure tasks with the Deputy Director of the Transitional Administration, Thomas Ndive Mulongo. The proposed vital growth of the Port of Limbe has the potential to make it the deepest seaport in West and Central Africa, able to accommodating mega vessels and increasing commerce alternatives. Discussions included the potential for public-private partnerships and methods to leverage U.S. experience in maritime threat administration and port operations.
In Buea, Ambassador Lamora engaged with dynamic entrepreneurs from “Silicon Mountain,” Cameroon’s rising tech hub. Throughout a roundtable held on the American Nook Buea (housed on the College of Buea), he exchanged concepts with native startups and representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce, the American Council for Africa, and American Liaison in Africa. Their discussions centered on enhancing the funding local weather and increasing U.S.–Cameroon enterprise ties.
The famend the Cameroon Worldwide Movie Pageant (CAMIFF) supplied a further alternative to advertise financial and cultural cooperation within the area. Whereas talking on a panel at CAMIFF, the Ambassador emphasised the movie trade’s important contribution to native economies. He applauded CAMIFF Founder Gilbert Agbor Ebot for fostering collaborations between Cameroonian and American filmmakers, highlighting the induction of American actress Vanessa E. Williams into the CAMIFF Wall of Fame and the screening of Superman Doesn’t Steal, an award-winning brief movie by American filmmaker Tamika Lamison that took residence CAMIFF’s award for finest brief movie.
Ambassador Helps Group-Led Growth
Recognizing the important position of conventional leaders, Ambassador Lamora met with the Paramount Chiefs of Buea and Limbe, who conferred honors upon him and shared updates on their community-driven initiatives, together with waste administration, workforce growth, and different native priorities. He additionally visited the Limbe Wildlife Middle, the place he praised its conservation efforts—not just for defending Cameroon’s wealthy biodiversity but additionally for supporting public well being schooling, enhancing group livelihoods and instilling respect for the setting in Cameroon’s subsequent technology.
United States Sustains Well being Achievements
For his remaining cease within the Southwest Area, the Ambassador visited Mutengene Baptist Hospital, a key well being accomplice supported over a few years by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Reduction (PEPFAR) and the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC). There, he witnessed firsthand the impression of the US’ 133 million FCFA funding in HIV and TB care.
Because of this assist, the hospital—which serves greater than 122,000 sufferers yearly—continues to supply life-saving providers to folks residing with HIV and now stands as the most important facility of its form within the area. Acknowledging the collective effort behind these achievements, the Ambassador reaffirmed the US’ long-term dedication to strengthening well being safety in Cameroon.
This go to underscored that, as stability takes maintain, the Southwest Area is unlocking new alternatives for dynamic U.S.–Cameroon collaboration.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Cameroon.
