By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Cameroon and the United States of America have reaffirmed a strong partnership in key areas of cooperation.
This is the outcomes of a series of meetings between the visiting US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Richard R. Verma and Cameroonian authorities. He was accompanied by Dr. Tracy Carson, Director of Foreign Assistance.
The visit, from April 20 to 22, was part of a three-nation tour across Africa aimed at solidifying the U.S. government’s commitment to working with Cameroon to advance peace and prosperity for its citizens.
During his stay, Deputy Secretary Verma met with Minister of State, Secretary General at the Presidency Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, and cabinet members. They discussed key areas for continued bilateral cooperation and highlighted the longstanding U.S. partnership with Cameroon.
In separate meetings with journalists and civil society leaders, Deputy Secretary Verma discussed U.S. foreign assistance as well as U.S. engagement on human rights and governance in Africa, including Cameroon.
Underscoring the U.S.-Cameroon health cooperation in improving disease surveillance and saving lives, Verma visited the Yaoundé Branch of the National Veterinary Laboratory (LANAVET).
U.S. government support, both technical and financial, has been instrumental in making LANAVET one of the top-performing veterinary laboratories in Central Africa. This year marks the second anniversary of the newly renovated LANAVET, funded by the United States with an amount of FCFA 2.3 billion ($3.7 million).
Verma’s visit extended beyond health. He also visited the Inter-regional Coordination Center (ICC) to learn about multinational cooperation to promote maritime governance and security in the Gulf of Guinea.
“Cameroon is a valued partner, playing a critical role in regional and economic stability,” Deputy Secretary Verma stated. “For decades, we have partnered with the Cameroonian government and people in areas of health, human rights, regional security, and sustainable economic growth. We look forward to continuing this partnership to bring peace and prosperity to all Cameroonians.”
“Cameroon is a valued partner and plays an important role in economic and regional stability”, Deputy Secretary Verma stated.
“We have partnered with the government and people of Cameroon for decades in the areas of health, human rights, regional security, and sustainable economic growth, and we look forward to our continued partnership to advance peace and prosperity for all Cameroonians,” he stated.
Following his visit to Cameroon, Deputy Secretary Verma is scheduled to travel to Ethiopia, where he will meet with African Union Commission officials.
Additionally, he will visit Angola, accompanied by Administrator Samantha Power of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). In Angola, Verma plans to meet with senior government officials, business and community leaders, farmers, and public health partners. His visit is expected to conclude on April 25.
Richard R. Verma, as the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Department of State and principal advisor to the Secretary of State, leading the Department’s efforts on modernization, foreign assistance, and a wide range of workforce and strategic issues.
Deputy Secretary Verma previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to India, where he led one of the largest U.S. diplomatic missions and championed historic progress in bilateral ties. He is also a former Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs and the former National Security Advisor to the Senate Majority Leader.
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