US Issues Crucial Alert For Yaoundé, Prevents Americans From Traveling Six Cameroon’s Regions!

By Beltha Mokube – Sunday February 10, 2019.

The Embassy of the United States of American in Cameroon has issued a crucial alert for its citizens in Yaoundé, Cameroon’s capital, a source at the embassy told National Telegraph.

According to our source, the alert has been issued by a department in the Embassy in charge of alerts and messages. Our source opined that the Embassy has issued a strict security alert to its citizens regarding some areas considered dangerous in Yaoundé.

“There has been an increase in violent robberies after dark.  Criminals have operated in groups of three or more and use the crowds of people exercising as cover to target their victims.  Purse-snatchers have also targeted pedestrians in the area, our source quoted a message by the Embassy dated Friday, February 1, 2019.

Our source says the message is attributed specifically to Rondpoint Bastos, a precinct in Yaoundé that has been noted for crimes and many more atrocities. National Telegraph is told the alert cautions US citizens to avoid walking through the area at night, especially alone to be aware of their surroundings and not to physically resist any robbery attempt.

Further, the alert is said to have cautioned citizens not to display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive jewelry or watches and to always carry proof of legal presence in Cameroon, such as a U.S. passport with visa, or a residency card. “Since Cameroon does not recognize dual citizenship, U.S. citizens of Cameroonian descent should never attempt to use a Cameroonian passport or identification card.”, a part of the alert warns, says our source.

Cameroon is amongst the world’s most violent countries with total insecurity and uncertainty of what every day offers. Armed robbery and carjacking are the order of the day and the forces of law and order lack know-how and resources to respond.

The Embassy of the United States in Cameroon has already published a list of six (6) regions in Cameroon where its citizens are not allowed to travel to. In Adamawa (to the north or east of Ngaoundere), East (east of Bertoua), North, Far North, North West and South West Regions of Cameroon due to current official travel restrictions. crime, terrorism, and civil unrest, the statement says.

According to Cameroon Travel Advisory, in the North and Far North Regions, as well as parts of East and Adamawa Regions, terrorists may attack with no warning, targeting local facilities and places frequented by Westerners. In the Adamawa Region, this threat specifically includes any area to the north or east of Ngaoundere. 

Kidnapping by terrorists and/or kidnapping for ransom are serious concerns in Cameroon, especially in areas bordering northern Nigeria and the Central African Republic (CAR), Cameroon Travel Advisory noted.

In Northwest and Southwest Regions, an Anglophone separatist movement has led to increased levels of violence. Armed clashes with the government and other acts of violence have occurred, the alert went on.

Violent crime, including kidnapping, armed robbery, assault, and carjacking, is common within 60 miles of the border with Nigeria’s Adamawa State in the North and Adamawa Regions of Cameroon, the border area with Chad, and the border areas with the CAR, it concludes.