By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Cameroon Telecommunications (CAMTEL) and the International War College (IWC) of Yaoundé have shared insights on combating cyber criminality. This exchange occurred during the IWC delegation’s visit to CAMTEL on July 21.
The delegation was received by Francis Ottou, Technical Adviser No. 1 at CAMTEL. It was led by Brigadier General Valerie Nka, Commander of the Yaoundé International War College. The group primarily consisted of trainees from the college.
During the visit, Ottou welcomed the distinguished guests, noting that after more than 25 years of public service, CAMTEL’s investments and contributions to national development have prompted vital reflections on being a strategic operator amid data leaks, artificial intelligence, hybrid threats, ransomware, and information warfare.
“Cybercrime never sleeps,” Ottou emphasized. “It doesn’t require a visa or a rifle. It operates remotely, often in the shadows of the law, in grey areas where economic interests, strategic sabotage, and political activism intersect.”
He acknowledged that while the realm of cybercrime is virtual, its consequences are tangible. “CAMTEL has chosen not to be a victim. We have taken action against the inherent vulnerabilities of any national digital infrastructure. Our response includes reinforcing software defenses, complying with regulatory requirements, ensuring network redundancy, and establishing human responsibility chains.”
Ottou also highlighted the crucial role of defense and security forces, whose vigilance is essential for protecting physical infrastructures. “Each time territory is secured, each relay is protected, and each criminal act is prevented or neutralized, the entire chain of national connectivity remains intact.”
“The modern war knows no borders,” he stated. “It involves both armaments and software, radars and data centers, command chains and optical fibers. We may not wear the same decorations or uniforms, but we share the same goal: national resilience.”
“At IWC, you manage the fronts. At CAMTEL, we manage the flows,” Ottou added. “But fundamentally, we share the same obsession: preserving continuity.”
He noted that the visit strengthens ties between CAMTEL and IWC, reminding all that new threats are emerging. “No institution can tackle these challenges alone. The future lies in intelligent alliances among civil, military, diplomatic, and digital expertise.”
Brigadier General Nka praised CAMTEL for its efforts, stating that the visit is part of the leadership and management module at IWC. He highlighted that the college, celebrating its 20th anniversary, has trained approximately 900 officers from Cameroon and friendly African nations, as well as from Europe, including France, the United States, and China.
“We are currently reflecting on an integrated strategic culture where not only defense forces but also civilians and other stakeholders contribute to shaping a cohesive national, subregional, and African strategic identity,” Nka added.
During the visit, CAMTEL presented on “CAMTEL and the Protection of Personal Data in the Face of Cybercrime.” The visit concluded with a question-and-answer session, allowing trainees to deepen their understanding of CAMTEL’s efforts to combat multifaceted threats and secure communications in Cameroon and beyond. The IWC delegation consisted of trainees from Cameroon, other African countries, and Europe.
