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Cameroon
Country Specific Information
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February 25, 2010
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
Cameroon is a developing country in central Africa. Although there are many natural and cultural attractions in Cameroon,
facilities catering to American/European style tourism are quite limited. The capital is Yaoundé, though Douala, the country's
largest city, is its main port and commercial center. Official languages are French and English, though French predominates
in most of the country. English may be used in Cameroon's two Anglophone regions of Southwest and Northwest, as well as the
larger cities. The staff of major hotels in Cameroon’s large cities is usually bilingual. In February 2008, social and political
discord led to civil unrest, although the immediate threat of violence has now receded. Violent crime increased in 2009.
For general information on Cameroon, read the Department of State Background Notes on Cameroon.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens living or traveling in Cameroon are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate at the Department of State’s travel registration page in order to obtain updated information on local travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Registration is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency.
Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.
U.S. Embassy Yaounde
The U.S. Embassy in Yaoundé is located on Avenue Rosa Parks in the Mbankolo Quartier, adjacent to the Mount Febe Golf Club.
The mailing address of the U.S. Embassy is P.O. Box 817, Yaounde, Cameroon
Telephone: (237) 2220-1500
Emergency after-hours telephone: (237) 2220-1500
Facsimile: (237) 2220-1572
Embassy Branch Office, Douala, Cameroon
The Embassy Branch Office in Douala is located on the corner of Rue Ivy and Rue French in the Ecobank Building in Bonanjo.
Telephone: (237) 3342-5331
Facsimile: (237) 3342-7790.
Embassy Branch Office FAQs sheet
ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport, visa, evidence of yellow-fever vaccination, and current immunization records are required, and travelers may be denied entry if they lack the proper documentation.
Cameroon does not recognize dual nationality and considers U.S. citizens of Cameroonian descent to have lost their Cameroonian citizenship. U.S. citizens should enter Cameroon using their U.S. passport, and should be sensitive to possible hostility on the part of Cameroonian officials regarding their changed citizenship. See "Cameroonian-Descent Americans" under Special Circumstances.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information Sheet.
Visit the Cameroonian Embassy in Washington, D.C.‘s website for the most current visa information.
Travelers should obtain the latest information on entry requirements from this website or the Embassy of the Republic of Cameroon,
2349 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington D.C. 20008, tel.: (202) 265-8790, fax: (202) 387-3826.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Cameroon.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Cameroon experienced significant civil unrest in half of its ten regions in February 2008. Although a rapid resumption of violence is considered unlikely, U.S. citizens living in or visiting Cameroon are encouraged to stay abreast of local political and social developments that could signal additional difficulties for the country. Presidential elections are scheduled for 2011, although some in the media speculate that this could be moved up to 2010. Travelers should remain alert as these elections approach.
Embassy employees have been instructed to refrain from travel outside of city limits after dusk, and to be cautious in their movements in centrally located areas within cities and towns. Private U.S. citizens are urged to follow the same guidelines and are strongly advised against traveling by night on Cameroon’s dangerous highways. Armed highway bandits (most notably in border areas); poorly lit and maintained roads; hazardous, poorly maintained vehicles; and unskilled, aggressive and/or intoxicated drivers all pose threats to motorists. Attacks and accidents are most common outside major towns, especially in the regions bordering Chad and the Central African Republic, but occur in all areas of the country.
The U.S. Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to neighboring Central African Republic (CAR). On occasion, conflict between insurgents and government security forces in CAR has spilled across the border into Cameroon, affecting outposts in both Adamawa and East Provinces. Humanitarian and religious workers in eastern Cameroon are strongly encouraged to coordinate their efforts with the Embassy and the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Yaoundé.
In February 2008, an attack by rebel insurgents on Ndjamena, the capital of Chad, forced the evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Chad and sent up to 50,000 refugees across the border into the town of Kousseri in Cameroon. U.S. citizens in Cameroon considering crossing into Chad should review the U.S. Department of State's Travel Warning for Chad.
Cameroon assumed control of the Bakassi peninsula in August 2008. Over the last few years, there have been attacks on Cameroonian military forces and clashes between armed groups and Cameroonian security forces in the Bakassi area. Piracy off the coast remains a problem. Heightened security measures in 2009 reduced the number of attacks. Nonetheless, while it is very difficult to reach the Bakassi area, travelers considering a trip should exercise extreme caution as the area is considered very unsafe and is currently off-limits for Embassy and United Nations personnel. U.S. citizens visiting any coastal areas in Cameroon should be alert to the threat of piracy and move inland if they detect a potential threat. Travelers who are caught up in such an attack should comply immediately with any demands made by the aggressors and avoid any action that could be interpreted as an attempt to escape. See our fact sheet on International Maritime Piracy.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s extensive tips and advice on traveling safely abroad.
CRIME: Crime is a serious problem throughout Cameroon and increased in some areas in 2009. U.S. citizens should exercise caution when traveling in Cameroon. Internet-based crime is escalating rapidly, and U.S. citizens, including insurance companies and other institutions, should be extremely skeptical of any financial transactions that involve sending money for goods or services not yet delivered (see below). The Embassy has identified scams involving adoptions, insurance claims, hiring service workers such as nannies to work in the United States, and purchasing pets. Crimes against property, such as carjacking and burglaries, have often been accompanied by violent acts and have resulted in fatalities. All foreigners are potential targets for theft with possible attendant violence. Armed banditry has been a problem throughout all ten regions in Cameroon. A group of Spanish tourists was held up at gunpoint traveling between Bertoua and Ngaoundere in August 2009, and one tourist was shot by the bandits.
Armed bandits have erected road barricades on major routes that link rural towns to provincial headquarters, and have taken as many as 100 cars in a single attack. To curb banditry, security personnel may request persons to show their passport, residence card, driver's license, and/or vehicle registration at random checkpoints. Certified copies of these important documents should be kept in a secure location separate from the originals. Security personnel have been known to ask for bribes but normally allow expatriate travelers to continue after delaying them for a period of time. The U.S. Government does not condone bribery or corruption of any kind.
There have been a number of criminal incidents involving public transportation; use of public taxis can be dangerous. Public taxis in Cameroon function more like the U.S. bus system with drivers stopping along the road to pick up additional passengers as long as there is space left in the vehicle. There have been numerous reports of assaults and robberies committed by "passengers" in shared taxis since crimes – rape and robbery being among the most common – are often a collaborative effort between the driver and "passengers." If a traveler must use a taxi, the use of a private taxi (a taxi hired for exclusive use by the individual for that particular trip), where the driver is known to the passenger, is a better alternative to the use of shared taxis. Taxi passengers should be particularly vigilant at night. U.S. Embassy personnel are not permitted to use taxi cabs in Cameroon.
The risk of street and residential crime is high with incidents involving gangs, home invasion and kidnapping. Periodic efforts by the city of Yaoundé to clear streets and public spaces of illegally constructed homes and market stalls can become confrontational, and may be responsible for surges in criminality as these very modest homes and businesses are destroyed. An ongoing demolition program in Yaounde will continue into 2010.
Many crimes involve an “inside man” and target individuals or locations involved with payrolls or other activities involving large sums of cash. Carjackings and robberies have also been reported on rural highways, especially in the northern provinces and regions near Cameroon's border with the Central African Republic.
Recently, many U.S. citizens have become victims of Internet-based scams originating in Cameroon. These schemes include advance-fee and other scams offering antiques, exotic, and domesticated animals (for example, puppies or exotic birds ), and even adoption services. U.S. citizens should be very cautious about sending money or traveling to Cameroon to meet someone contacted via the Internet. Commercial scams targeting foreigners, including many U.S. citizens, continue to be a problem. The scams generally involve phony offers of lucrative sales and repeated requests for additional funds to pay for unforeseen airport and/or customs fees. No one should provide personal financial or account information to unknown parties. Additionally, the U.S. Embassy is aware of complaints by U.S. citizens shipping vehicles or other merchandise to Cameroon who are unable to complete the transaction as they had expected, and who have ended up being detained based on these commercial disputes. The ability of U.S. Embassy officers to extricate U.S. citizens from unlawful business deals and the consequences is limited and U.S. citizens are urged to complete financial transactions in advance and in writing with trusted partners only, and to strictly avoid informal agreements.
For more information on international financial scams, including those involving Internet dating, a promise of an inheritance windfall, a promise of a work contract overseas, overpayment for goods purchased on-line, or money-laundering, see the Department of State's publication International Financial Scams. If you have concerns about the legitimacy of a transaction in Cameroon, contact the U.S. Embassy in Cameroon. (See Registration/Embassy Location section above.) The Embassy commercial section regularly assists U.S. citizens with helping determine the legitimacy of commercial transactions.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you are the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates). This includes the loss or theft of a U.S. passport. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds may be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
Cameroon has no local equivalent to the “911” emergency line; dial 112 in major cities to contact ambulance services.
Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.
Cameroonian law does not afford many of the protections to which U.S. citizens are accustomed, and legal proceedings tend to be complex, lengthy, and subject to inappropriate influence. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Additionally, the condition of detention centers, while improving, is poor. Persons violating Cameroonian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. During the February 2008 civil unrest, there were reports that people were arrested arbitrarily by law enforcement officials quelling civil disorders. Although no expatriates were known to have been arrested, the Department of State cautions U.S. citizens against venturing out during such periods of unrest.
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Cameroon are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.
CAMEROONIAN-DESCENTAMERICANS: Cameroon does not recognize dual nationality and considers U.S. citizens of Cameroonian descent to have lost their Cameroonian citizenship. U.S. citizens should enter Cameroon using their U.S. passport, and should be alert to possible hostility on the part of Cameroonian officials regarding their changed citizenship. U.S. citizens, regardless of ethnic or national origin, are subject to the host country's laws and regulations. U.S. citizenship does not carry special privileges abroad, and does not protect citizens in disputes with foreign authorities. Disputes with Cameroonian authorities can result in detention, confiscation of documents, and considerable expense and delays to the traveler. Cameroonian law enforcement, customs, and other officials are granted significant powers; all U.S. citizens should show the same deference and respect to Cameroonian officials as they would give to similarly-ranked individuals in the United States.
CURRENCY: Cash in local currency, the Central African franc (FCFA), is the only form of payment accepted throughout the country. A few large hotels in Yaoundé and Douala will change U.S. dollars and cash traveler's checks, though at a disadvantageous rate. Credit card cash advances are not available, and most banks do not cash personal or traveler's checks for non-clients. While credit cards are accepted at some larger hotels and shops in Yaoundé and Douala, caution is urged, as identity theft is endemic in the region. Some larger banks in Yaoundé and Douala have ATM facilities, and several banks in Cameroon have wire transfer services through Western Union. Western Union and other money transfer services have extensive networks in many parts of Cameroon. The U.S. Embassy does not provide currency exchange, check cashing or other financial services. In recent years, business travelers have experienced difficulty in obtaining adequate services from Cameroon's banking sector. Business travelers are also advised that using the services of a local agent is strongly recommended in establishing a presence in the Cameroonian market. Counterfeit currency use appears to be a growing problem.
CUSTOMS: Cameroonian Customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Cameroon of items such as large quantities of medicine or wood products. Customs regulations also restrict the importation of ivory. Please see our Customs Information sheet.
GAME PARKS: While visiting game parks and reserves, tourists should bear in mind that they are ultimately responsible for maintaining their own safety. Tourists should use common sense when approaching wildlife, maintain a safe distance from animals, and heed all instructions given by guides or trackers. Even in the most serene settings, the animals in Cameroon's game parks are wild and can pose a threat to life and safety. Most game parks require that a professional guide accompany travelers, and visitors are advised not to pressure or pay those persons to be more flexible in their duties.
HOMOSEXUALITY: The government of Cameroon has sporadically enforced laws against homosexuality. Charges of homosexuality are also made and enforced indiscriminately in the course of business or personal disputes.
CORRUPTION: The government of Cameroon has sporadically enforced laws against corruption. Charges of corruption are also made and enforced indiscriminately in the course of business or personal disputes.
PHOTOGRAPHY: While photography is not officially forbidden, security officials are sensitive about photographs taken of government buildings, military installations, and other public facilities, many of which are unmarked. Photography of these subjects may result in seizure of photographic equipment by Cameroonian authorities. Due to the threat of harassment and the lack of signs designating sites prohibited for photography, and the fact that some Cameroonians object to having their picture taken, photography should be limited to private homes and among friends. U.S. citizens are advised to seek proper permission before taking a photograph of a specific subject or location.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical facilities in Cameroon are extremely limited. Even in large cities, emergency care and hospitalization for major illnesses and surgery are hampered by the lack of trained specialists, outdated diagnostic equipment, and poor sanitation. Medical services in outlying areas may be completely nonexistent. Doctors and hospitals often require immediate payment for health services in cash and require family members or friends to locate and purchase any medical supplies they will need. Pharmacies in larger towns are well stocked, but in other areas many medicines are unavailable. Travelers are advised to carry their own supply of needed prescription and anticipated over-the-counter medicines.
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease. Plasmodium falciparum malaria, the type that predominates in Cameroon, is resistant to the antimalarial drug chloroquine. Because travelers to Cameroon are at high risk for contracting malaria, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that travelers should take one of the following antimalarial drugs: mefloquine (Lariam™), doxycycline, or atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone™) as prophylaxis to reduce this risk. Travelers, who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area, or up to one year after returning home, should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician their travel history and what antimalarials they have been taking.
There are periodic outbreaks of cholera in Cameroon. Yellow fever can cause serious medical problems, but the vaccine, required for entry, is very effective in preventing the disease. Measles is also present in northern Cameroon and travelers should be sure they are current with their vaccinations. Polio remains a threat in northern Nigeria, which shares a very porous border with Cameroon.
In March 2006, avian influenza (H5N1) was confirmed in wild ducks in northern Cameroon. There have been no reports of avian influenza among humans in Cameroon. Avian influenza has been reported in both birds and humans in neighboring Nigeria. For additional information on avian influenza as it affects U.S. citizens residing abroad, please read the U.S. Department of State’s Avian Influenza Fact Sheet.
Four cases of the H1N1 virus were detected in humans in August 2009. At this time, there are no travel restrictions for passengers coming from countries where the H1N1 virus is present.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Cameroon.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in Cameroon. For further information, please consult the CDC's information on TB.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to consult their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to determine whether the policy applies overseas and whether it covers emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. Cameroon's road networks, both paved and unpaved, are poorly maintained and unsafe at all times of the year. Vehicles are poorly maintained and there is no mechanism or requirement to inspect for roadworthiness. During the rainy season, many roads are barely passable with four-wheel-drive vehicles. Livestock and pedestrians create constant road hazards (especially at night) and road safety rules are frequently ignored. There are few road and traffic signs; speed limits are neither posted nor enforced. Buses and logging trucks travel at excessive speed and are a constant threat to other road traffic.
Travelers on roads near the borders with the Central African Republic and Chad should ensure that they have adequate vehicle fuel, cooking fuel, food, and water for several days, as well as a reliable means of communication, such as a satellite or cell phone, or radio.
Visitors who are not in possession of a valid passport and a visa may experience difficulties at police roadblocks or other security checkpoints. It is not uncommon for a uniformed member of the security forces to stop motorists on the pretext of a minor or non-existent violation of local motor vehicle regulations in order to extort small bribes. Visitors are advised not to pay bribes and to request that the officer provide a citation to be paid at the local court.
Local law states that vehicles involved in an accident should not be moved until the police arrive and a police report can be made. If an accident results in injury, drivers should be aware of the possibility that a "village justice" mentality may develop. If an angry crowd forms, drive directly to the U.S. Embassy or another location where you can receive assistance. Contact the local police once you are safely away from danger. Cameroon has no real equivalent to 911-type service or roadside emergency telephone numbers, but you can dial 112 in major cities to contact ambulance services. U.S. citizens should contact the U.S. Embassy (237) 2220-1500 if emergency assistance is needed.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Cameroon, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Cameroon’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
Travelers should be aware that scam artists have sold bogus tickets for flights on the former national airline, Cameroon Airlines, which is no longer operational within or outside of Cameroon. Limited domestic air service is available from a number of small operators that are not firmly established; service is routinely suspended or cancelled.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Cameroon dated April 16, 2009, to update sections on Threats to Safety and Security and Medical Facilities and Health Information and Special Circumstances.
