CAMEROON AND ECCAS STRENGTHEN THEIR SECURITY COOPERATION

Yaoundé, 15 May 2026 (Republic of Cameroon) - The Minister Delegate to the Presidency for the Defence of the Republic of Cameroon, Joseph BETI ASSOMO, received in audience the Chairman of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Ambassador Dr. Ezekiel Nibigira, as part of the strengthening of security cooperation and the integration of the new leadership teams of the Community institution.

This meeting is part of the momentum generated by the new ECCAS Commission team, with the priority of consolidating peace, stability and security in Central Africa. She also took part in the follow-up to the guidelines set out at the extraordinary session of the Heads of State and Government of ECCAS held in January 2026 under the chairmanship of His Excellency OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO, current President of ECCAS, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

Discussions between the two personalities focused on the security challenges facing the subregion, In particular, the securing of the Gulf of Guinea against the criminal phenomena recorded there. These issues constitute strategic priorities for both Cameroon and ECCAS, in a context marked by the need to strengthen military cooperation and the sharing of security information among member States.

Both sides reaffirmed their common commitment to strengthen regional conflict prevention and peacekeeping mechanisms to ensure the stability of borders and the protection of the maritime interests of Central Africa.

The Chairman of the ECCAS Commission was accompanied by several senior officials of the Community institution, including General de Corps d'Armée Marcel MAPANGOU MOUSSADJI, Commissioner in charge of Political, Peace and Security Affairs, General Major Audace NDUWUMUNSI, Regional Chief of Staff of the Multinational Force of Central Africa (FOMAC) of ECCAS, Colonel Emmanuel Bell Bell, Director of the Interregional Coordination Centre (ICC), responsible for maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, and Rachel MBAKO DFOCKO DFONDO, Director of Cooperation and Resource Mobilization at the ECCAS Commission.

The Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cameroon welcomed the visit of the Chairman of the Commission of ECCAS and his delegation, he took the opportunity to reaffirm Cameroon's commitment and willingness to accompany ECCAS initiatives, particularly those concerning CIC, which is considered by the highest authorities of the Republic of Cameroon as a highly strategic tool.

This hearing also highlighted the new momentum within the ECCAS Commission, based on collegiality, effectiveness and the search for concrete results for the benefit of the people of the subregion, Central Africa.

As a sign of friendship and lasting cooperation, Minister Joseph BETI ASSOMO offered a symbolic present to the Chairman of the Commission, reflecting Cameroon's desire to further strengthen its relations with ECCAS in the field of defence and regional security.