Foreign relations of Cameroon

Nations with which Cameroon has diplomatic relations.

Cameroon's noncontentious, low-profile approach to foreign relations puts it squarely in the middle of other African and developing country states on major issues. It supports the principles of non-interference in the affairs of third world countries and increased assistance to underdeveloped countries. Cameroon is an active participant in the United Nations, where its voting record demonstrates its commitment to causes that include international peacekeeping, the rule of law, environmental protection, and Third World economic development. In the UN and other human rights fora, Cameroon's non-confrontational approach has generally led it to avoid criticizing other countries.

Cameroon enjoys good relations with the United States and other developed countries. Cameroon enjoys generally good relations with its African neighbors. It supports UN peacekeeping activities in Central Africa.

International disputes

Delimitation of international boundaries in the vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which led to border incidents in the past, is complete and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria; dispute with Nigeria over land and maritime boundaries around the Bakasi Peninsula and Lake Chad is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as is a dispute with Equatorial Guinea over the exclusive maritime economic zone. As of 10 October 2012, it has been resolved that Cameroon own Bakassi.

Cameroon also faces a complaint filed with the African Commission on Human Rights by the Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC) and the Southern Cameroons Peoples Organisation (SCAPO) against the Government of the Republic of Cameroon, in which the complainants allege that the Republic of Cameroon is illegally occupying the territory of Southern Cameroons. The SCNC and SCAPO ultimately seek the independence of the territory of Southern Cameroons. As of 2008, both parties have submitted briefs and responded to the Human Rights Commissions' inquiries. A ruling by the African Commission on Human Rights is awaited.

Bilateral relations

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Albania 20 August 1973 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 August 1973
 Algeria 1 January 1964 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 January 1964
 Andorra 21 October 2010 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 October 2010
 Angola 21 August 1979 Both countries established diplomatic relationbs on 21 August 1979
 Argentina 2 January 1975 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 January 1975
 Armenia 28 May 2007 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 May 2007
 Australia 2 March 2002 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 March 2002
  • Both countries are full members of The Commonwealth.
  • Cameroon is accredited to Australia through its embassy in Tokyo, Japan.
  • Australia is represented in Cameroon through its High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria.
 Austria 29 March 1968 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 March 1968
 Azerbaijan 24 February 1995 On 24 February 1995, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Cameroon signed a protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations
 Bahamas 4 October 1991 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 October 1991
 Bahrain 27 February 1975 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 February 1975
 Belarus 14 November 2006 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 November 2006
 Belgium 14 March 1962 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 March 1962 when has been accredited Ambassador of Belgium to Cameroon with residence in Yaounde Mr. E. Luyckx.
 Benin 31 July 1976 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 July 1976
 Bosnia and Herzegovina 10 September 2009 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 September 2009
 Bulgaria 24 February 1984 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 February 1984
 Canada 7 December 1961

Cameroon and Canada have established diplomatic ties on 7 December 1961 with three agreements and four protocoles signed in 1965. Both countries share the use of English and French as the two official languages as well as memberships in the Francophonie and The Commonwealth.

  • Cameroon has a high commission in Ottawa.
  • Canada has a high commission in Yaoundé.
 Chile 11 August 1964 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 August 1964
 China 26 March 1971 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 March 1971

The People's Republic of China has a number of health and infrastructure projects underway in Cameroon. In January 2007, China signed a series of economic agreements with Cameroon, giving more than $54 million in loans., China constructed the multipurpose sports complex in Yaounde and renovated the famous Amadou Ahidjo stadium.

 Colombia 8 March 1989 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 March 1989
 Democratic Republic of Congo 29 June 1965 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 June 1965
 Republic of Congo 26 November 1962 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 November 1962 when has been appointed Mr. Emmanuel Samory as Permanent Representative of the Republic of Congo to Cameroon.
 Cote d'Ivoire 3 September 1962 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 September 1962
 Croatia 18 October 2002 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 October 2002
 Cuba 31 August 1974 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 August 1974
 Czech Republic 27 September 1990 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 September 1990
 Djibouti 22 January 1978 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 January 1978
 Egypt 7 January 1961 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 January 1961
 Equatorial Guinea 27 October 1968

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 October 1968

Cameroon has a dispute with Equatorial Guinea over the exclusive maritime economic zone, which is currently before the ICJ. They also have a dispute over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River.

 Estonia 27 July 2006 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 July 2006
 Finland 17 January 1964 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 January 1964
 France 1 January 1960

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 January 1960

Cameroon has particularly close ties with France, with whom it has numerous military, economic, and cultural agreements, the construction of the Bonaberi bridge in Douala is pioneered by the French and they are to exploit uranium discovered in the Nort by 2018.

 Gabon 26 February 1975 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 February 1975
 Gambia 8 March 1975 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 March 1975 when Gambia's first Ambassador to Cameroon (resident in Dakar) Mr. Samuel Jonathan Okiki Sarr presented his credentials to President Ahmadou Ahidjo.
 Georgia 26 September 2013 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 September 2013
 Germany 1 January 1960 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 January 1960
 Ghana 20 August 1963 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 August 1963
 Greece 28 April 1973 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 April 1973 when the first Greek Ambassador to the Cameroon, Mr. Sathis Mitsopoulos, presented his credentials to President Ahidjo.
 Guatemala 14 April 1993 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 April 1993
 Haiti 11 January 1981 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 January 1981 when Ambassador of Haiti (with residence in Nigeria) M. Antoine Victor Pierre-Louis has presented his credentials to President of Cameroon M. Ahmadou Ahidjo.
 Hungary 20 January 1987 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 January 1987
 Iceland 19 September 2007 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 September 2007
 India 4 April 1963 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 April 1963
 Indonesia 16 June 1992 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 June 1992
 Iran 10 March 1975 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 March 1975
 Ireland 23 April 2007 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 April 2007
 Israel 15 September 1960 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 September 1960, but relations was broken on 13 October 1973 and re-established diplomatic relations on 26 August 1986

Cameroon's Rapid Reaction Force is trained and armed by Israel, and Cameroon supports Israel in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) draft resolution votes. Many citizens of Cameroon receive training and education in agriculture in Israel. The Israeli ambassador described Cameroon as Israel's best friend in Africa. Additionally, Cameroon strongly opposes the existence of and antagonizes Palestine and is one of only two nations in Africa not to have yet recognized it

 Italy 28 February 1962 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 February 1962
 Jamaica 26 September 1991 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 September 1991
 Kazakhstan 14 May 2009 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 May 2009
 Kenya 5 September 1972 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 September 1972
 Kuwait 22 February 1975 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 February 1975
 Kyrgyzstan 27 September 2019 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 September 2019
 Latvia 16 April 2015 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 April 2015
 Lesotho 29 October 1968 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 October 1968 when first Ambassador of Lesotho to Cameroon Mr. C. D. Molapo has presented his credentials to President Ahidjo
 Liberia 23 November 1960 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 November 1960 when open Embassy of Cameroon in Monrovia.
 Libya 3 August 1969 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 August 1969.
 Lithuania 16 October 2013 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 October 2013
 Luxembourg 7 June 1962 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 June 1962
 Malawi 10 September 1974 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 September 1974
 Malaysia 1 March 1991 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 March 1991
 Malta 27 January 2006 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 January 2006
 Mexico 22 December 1975 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 December 1975
  • Cameroon is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States with a consulate in Mexico City.
  • Mexico is accredited to Cameroon from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria with a consulate in Yaoundé.
 Moldova 27 March 2019 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 March 2019
 Mongolia 2 April 2015 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 April 2015
 Morocco 13 August 1965 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 August 1965
 Mozambique 9 December 1975 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 December 1975
 Namibia 10 July 1990 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 July 1990
   Nepal 22 June 2023 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 June 2023
 Netherlands 2 December 1961 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 December 1961
 Nicaragua 1 November 2019 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 November 2019
 Niger 13 February 1974 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 February 1974
 Nigeria November 1960 Both countries established diplomatic relations in November 1960

Cameroon is engaged in a sporadic armed conflict with Nigeria in the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula. The dispute was resolved through the 2006 Greentree Agreement which led to the full withdrawal of Nigerian troops from the region and its administrative transfer back to Cameroon in August 2013. The two countries agree on maritime delimitation.Economic relations between both states are however timid, the uprise of the Boko Haram terrorists group called for military co-operation between Cameroon and Nigeria.

 North Macedonia 6 April 2001 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 April 2001
 Norway 15 June 1965 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 June 1965
 Oman 30 November 1998 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 November 1998
 Panama 14 August 1984 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 August 1984
 Paraguay 3 December 1993 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 December 1993
 Philippines 25 April 1964 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 April 1964
 Poland 14 March 1972 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 March 1972
 Portugal 12 February 1977 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 February 1977
 Qatar 26 February 1975 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 February 1975
 Romania 15 May 1970 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 May 1970
 Russia 20 February 1964 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 February 1964
  • Cameroon has an embassy in Moscow.
  • Russia has an embassy in Yaoundé.
 Saint Kitts and Nevis 9 June 2021 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 June 2021
 Sao Tome and Principe 14 July 1975 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 July 1975
 Saudi Arabia 1961 Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1961
 Senegal 1960 Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1960
 Sierra Leone 30 September 1976 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 September 1976
 Singapore 30 September 1991 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 September 1991
 Slovakia 15 November 1993 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 November 1993
 Slovenia 20 September 1998 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 September 1998
 South Africa 29 April 1994 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 April 1994
 South Korea 10 August 1961

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 August 1961.In 2012 Bilateral Trade was US$64 million

 Spain 10 November 1961 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 November 1961
 Sudan 12 July 1963 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 July 1963
 Sweden 24 September 1964 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 September 1964
  Switzerland 9 November 1961 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 November 1961
 Tajikistan 3 March 2006 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 March 2006
 Tanzania August 1972 Both countries established diplomatic relations in August 1972
 Thailand 20 July 1965 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 July 1965
 Timor Leste 20 May 2003 Both countries established diplomaticrelations on 20 May 2003
 Trinidad and Tobago 19 December 1976 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 December 1976
 Tunisia 18 February 1961 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 February 1961
 Turkey 11 October 1962 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 October 1962
  • Cameroon has an embassy in Ankara
  • Turkey has an embassy in Yaoundé
  • Trade volume between the two countries was US$205 million in 2019 (Cameroon's exports/imports: 54/151 million USD).
  • There are direct flights from Istanbul to Yaoundé.
 Uganda August 1972 Both countries established diplomatic relations in August 1972
 Ukraine 21 October 1993 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 October 1993
 United Arab Emirates 24 February 1975 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 February 1975
 United Kingdom 1 January 1960 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 January 1960
 United States 1 January 1960 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 January 1960
 Uruguay 18 December 2017 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 December 2017
 Venezuela 25 June 1991 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 June 1991
 Vietnam 30 August 1972

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 August 1972. Vietnam is represented in Cameroon through a non-resident embassy in Abuja, Nigeria and an honorary consulate in Douala. In 2014 Nexttel, Joint operative company of Viettel becomes the First 3G operator in Cameroon.

 Zimbabwe 28 February 1991 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 February 1991.

Multilateral relations

In addition to the United Nations, Cameroon is very active in other multilateral organisations or global institutions such as the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, The Commonwealth, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Group of 77, the Non-Aligned Movement, the African Union and the Economic Community of Central African States.

Refugees and internally displaced persons

Refugees (country of origin): 20,000-30,000 (Chad); 3,000 (Nigeria); 24,000 (Central African Republic) (2007)

See also


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