Cameroon History

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 - TM), doxycycline, or atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone -TM).  Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area and 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.  For additional information on malaria, including protective measures, see the CDC Trav ... [Read More]

US Embassy Cameroon: Ambassador's Page

H.E. Niels Marquardt previously served as Special Coordinator for Diplomatic Readiness 2001-2004. In this role, he was responsible for coordinating the largest increase in State Department recruiting, hiring, and training in its history. A senior Foreign Service officer, class of Minister-Counselor, he also served in 1998-2000 as Director of the Department's Entry-level Counseling and Assignments Division in the Bureau of Human Resources. ... [Read More]

US Embassy Cameroon: Ambassador's Speeches

If that is a sobering perspective on the media landscape in Cameroon – it is meant to be. But I want to make the point that the American media also had a checkered history, a historythat we all can learn from. In its early days, the American press was owned by or affiliated with competing political interests and engaged in a constant war of propaganda; media reporting was inflammatory and many journalists mere mudslingers. What caused the press to become an instrument for democratic decision-making was the variety of voices. Somehow, the common truth managed to emerge from the multitude of unprofessional voices in the media. Somehow truth and objectivity became recognized in the journalism community as the only ways to be regarded as a credible media and to fulfill the media’s vital role as a citizen watchdog. And as I think of this early period in American media history, I can see many parallels with the current situation in Cameroon. So I urge all of the journalists, editors, ... [Read More]

United States Embassy Cameroon: Information Resource Center/Library

The IRC is equipped with both print and electronic resources on various subjects such as the media, government and politics, economics, the environment, social and security issues, the rule of law and civic education, arts, history and literature with special emphasis on U.S society and culture. ... [Read More]

Cameroon

President Biya's October 1997 reelection was marred by serious procedural flaws as well as a boycott by the three major opposition parties. While the boycott made the outcome a foregone conclusion, most observers nonetheless considered the election to be neither free nor fair. Election irregularities especially were egregious in opposition strongholds where boycotting opposition activists were not present to monitor voting procedures. The Supreme Court declared President Biya the winner with 92.57 percent of the vote, and the UNDP, which previously had been an opposition party, joined the CPDM in a coalition government that included a faction of the UPC party.The President's control over the country's administrative apparatus was extensive. The President appoints all Ministers including the Prime Minister. On August 24, President Biya reshuffled his cabinet to bring in 18 new ministers, 16 of whom were CPDM members. The President also directly appo ... [Read More]

Marquardt, R. Niels
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US Embassy Cameroon: Information Resource Center/Library

IRC ResourcesThe IRC is equipped with both print and electronic resources on various subjects such as the media, government and politics, economics, the environment, social and security issues, the rule of law and civic education, arts, history and literature with special emphasis on U.S society and culture. ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

Under pressure from the opposition, the government introduced several reforms in the 1990’s to liberalize public institutions. These reforms provided for the creation of a bicameral legislature and the establishment of Provincial Assemblies. They also permitted formation of opposition political parties, independent newspapers, nongovernmental civic associations and ended censorship. While the government continues to occasionally impose restrictions on those with dissenting views, open public debate has increased greatly. Cameroon last held multiparty parliamentary elections on May 17, 1997. The former single party, the Cameroon Peoples’ Democratic Movement (CPDM), which once held all 180 seats in the National Assembly, won 116 seats in the multiparty election with six other parties accounting for the remainder. In October 1997, Cameroon held the second multiparty presidential election in its history. According to official results, President Biya was reelected with about 93% of the vote ... [Read More]

Senegal (06/05)
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