By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development, Alamine Ousmane Mey, and the outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Cameroon, H.E. Christopher John Lamora have evaluated the current state of bilateral relations between the two nations.
The meeting that took place on January 9 allowed both officials to reflect on the accomplishments achieved during the Ambassador’s tenure and to reinforce the strategic partnership that has linked the two nations for nearly sixty years.
During their hour-long discussion, Ambassador Lamora expressed his sincere gratitude to the Cameroonian government and the people for the high quality of cooperation maintained since his arrival.
He recalled that upon assuming his role in March 2022, Minister Ousmane Mey was among the first officials he consulted, a choice driven by the high priority the United States places on Cameroon’s economic development, trade, and investment climate.
“The reason I chose to see him early on was due to the importance the United States places on economic development in Cameroon, as well as our trade and investment relationship,” the Ambassador said.
As he prepares to depart next week, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of reviewing the progress made on various development projects and formal agreements intended to create new opportunities for both American and Cameroonian enterprises.
He noted that significant strides have been made to benefit both populations, particularly through technical collaboration and job creation initiatives that bridge the gap between Yaoundé and Washington.
“I believe we have achieved significant progress that benefits both our peoples and countries,” he stated. Both officials concluded their audience with both personalities reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening and diversifying this dynamic relationship.
By focusing on mutual interests and long-term stability, both nations aim to ensure that the friendly ties established over the last six decades continue to flourish well into the future.
The Cameroon-US cooperation remains robust and multifaceted, addressing critical global and regional challenges. Beyond economic growth, the cooperation encompasses vital sectors such as humanitarian aid, governance, public health, security, and climate change.
Official records highlight the depth of this support, with over $650 million in bilateral humanitarian aid mobilized since 2014, reaching approximately 1.4 million people in 2021 alone. Furthermore, trade relations continue to serve as a cornerstone of the alliance, with exchange volumes reaching $366 million in 2018.
The audience concluded with both personalities reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening and diversifying this dynamic relationship. By focusing on mutual interests and long-term stability, both nations aim to ensure that the friendly ties established over the last six decades continue to flourish well into the future.
