There is a symbolical intensification in Cameroon-US relations
around the image and discourses of the two parties. These are actions which are
not in themselves concrete growth, but which should symbolize a greater US
interest on the one hand and more Cameroon opening to the US on the other hand.
The actions also show a progressive sympathy of Cameroon's image in US
discourses.
The activities of the head of mission of an embassy are
important in reading the nature of relations between the two countries. In this
case, the US head of Missions' activities and public appearances in Cameroon
have been revealing of the heightening of relations and how important Cameroon
has become in recent years. From audiences with the Cameroonian President, to
press conferences, participation in business forums, visits to Cameroonian
cultural symbols (such as Fondoms) and natural [national] parks, the post 9/11
heads of US mission to Cameroon have given a clue to understanding what the
years ahead could reserve to both Cameroon and the US.
Starting with Ambassador George Mc Dade Staples who arrived in
Cameroon one month after the events of 9/11, the US gradually outlined specific
goals to be reached by the Yaoundé representation. As from October 10,
2001, Mr. Staples set the pace for a new US policy towards the region.
Ambassador Staples' recorded several appearances relating to the Pipeline
project, the democratization process in Cameroon (after the 2002 Parliamentary
and Municipal elections in Cameroon during which President Biya's party had a
lamp slide victory) and the visit of several US officials to Cameroon. The most
talked-about of these appearances was during the ragging debate at the UN
Security Council in 2003 around the Iraq war and Cameroon's vote. In that year,
while the then French Minister of Foreign Affairs, De Villepin, came to
convince Cameroonian authorities to vote for the French position, the US
ambassador, in collaboration with other US personalities pressed for the
American vision.
It is however Ambassador Niels Marquardt, appointed on July
2, 2004, who bit the record of US ambassadors in audiences with the Cameroon's
President and public appearances. Upon, arrival, he led several delegations to
meet President Biya (see bilateral visits above) just one month after his
arrival. As a career-diplomat and having served in several countries,
Ambassador Marquardt's personality, profile and determination are symbolic of
US perspectives for Cameroon and the sub-region. The message of Heads of
Missions' outdoor activities, which reflects American foreign policy ideology
in the region, is that there needs to be a good environment for business. This
good environment is democracy and the rule of law, while business involves
American investment and geostrategic interests in the region. Though this
vision of `no business without democracy' is profoundly misleading and highly
arguable from an ontological perspective and from US diplomatic history, it
however structures US thoughts for Cameroon and Central Africa.
US Heads of Mission to Cameroon
Robert C. Foulon: Consul appointed in May
1957, recalled in August 1959.
Leland Barrows: appointed on April 20 1960,
recalled on September 6 1966.
Robert L. Payton: appointed on June 1967,
recalled on May 27 1969.
Lewis Hoffacker: appointed on December 2 1969,
recalled on June 6 1972.
C. Robert Moore: appointed on June 27 1972,
recalled on July 29 1975.
Herbert J. Spiro: appointed on August 1 1975,
recalled on May 7 1977.
Mabel M. Smythe: appointed on April 25 1977,
recalled on February 24 1980.
Hume Alexander Horan: appointed on June 30 1980,
recalled on May 17 1983.
Myles R.R. Frechette: appointed on June 1983,
recalled on July 30 1987.
Mark L. Edelman: appointed on August 11 1987,
recalled on March 19 1989.
Frances D. Cook: appointed on October 25 1989,
recalled on January 1 1993.
Harriet W. Isom : appointed on August 17
1992, recalled on January 15 1996.
Charles H. Twining: appointed on December 19
1995, recalled on August 16 1998.
John Melvin Yates: appointed on December 6 1998,
recalled on November 4 2001.
George McDade Staples: appointed on November 10
2001, recalled on July 10 2004.
Niels Marquardt: appointed on July 02 2004
These activities went beyond political and economic domains to
involve humanitarian issues. Consequently, an agreement was signed in June 2005
between the US Ambassador and Red Cross Project Director by which the US
government is to finance the fight against malaria and malnutrition among
refugees in Yaoundé, worth 20 million USD.
Figure 4. Source: author's compilation with data from MINREX.
