Cameroon Ambassador Praises Strong Relations With Egypt

Mohamadou Labarang, Cameroon’s ambassador to Egypt and dean of the African diplomatic corps in Cairo, praised the strong and longstanding relations between Egypt and Cameroon, describing Egypt as one of Cameroon’s most important diplomatic partners.

Speaking during a media meeting held at the Cameroonian embassy in Cairo as part of celebrations marking the 54th anniversary of Cameroon’s National Unity Day, Labarang said relations between the two countries date back to the period following Cameroon’s independence in 1960.

The ambassador highlighted the depth of political, cultural, economic, and educational cooperation between Cairo and Yaoundé, noting that both countries share membership in major international organizations, including the African Union, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the World Trade Organization.

Labarang said the two countries maintain active cultural exchanges, particularly in traditional crafts and education, adding that Egyptian institutions, especially Al-Azhar University and Cairo University, host significant numbers of Cameroonian students.

He also pointed to translation initiatives and cultural dialogue efforts that strengthen communication between the Egyptian and Cameroonian peoples.

On security cooperation, the ambassador noted the existence of joint training programs involving Cameroonian military and police personnel at Egyptian training institutions, describing the cooperation as important for improving the capabilities of security agencies.

Economically, Labarang stressed that both countries are working to expand trade and investment ties in line with the strength of their political relationship, noting the participation of several Egyptian companies in projects inside Cameroon.

The ambassador also reviewed key moments in Cameroon’s modern political history, explaining that following the independence of French Cameroon in 1960, a referendum held in British Cameroon in 1961 resulted in northern Cameroon joining Nigeria while southern Cameroon joined the independent Cameroonian state, leading to the creation of the Federal Republic of Cameroon.

He noted that another referendum held in 1972 transformed the country into the United Republic of Cameroon, with May 20 celebrated annually as a symbol of national unity and political stability.

Labarang emphasized that Cameroon enjoys a high degree of political and security stability, adding that the country manages its demographic and cultural diversity within a framework of coexistence and national unity.

The ambassador concluded by confirming Cameroon’s participation at ministerial level in the upcoming El Alamein Forum next month, alongside a delegation of investors.

The event was held under the theme “National Unity, the Cornerstone of Our Defense and the Foundation for Cameroon’s Development,” aiming to strengthen engagement with the media and highlight the importance of national unity as a basis for stability and development.