The Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea Ad hoc Commission on trans-border security and consular issues session ended in Yaounde with the signing of draft cooperation agreements. Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea have created a Permanent Mixed Commission to tackle security issues on the borders of the two countries. This was one of the key draft agreements signed by the Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea delegation members at the end of the second Ad hoc Commission session on trans-border security and consular issues between the two countries that ended early, Wednesday, February 23 in Yaounde. Cameroon’s Minister of External Relations, Henri Eyebe Ayissi led the country’s delegation, while the Minister Delegate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and the Francophonie of Equatorial Guinea, Eustaquio Nseng Esono led his country’s delegation. The two leaders also signed and exchanged documents on the second draft agreement that provides for the reciprocal exemption of visas for holders of diplomatic, official or service passports.

Cameroon’s delegation leader in the closing speech described the draft agreements as judicial frameworks and mechanisms in fostering bilateral cooperation with regard to trans-border security and consular issues. He said the agreement creating the Permanent Mixed Commission on security was a tool that will enable the two countries coordinate joint actions, confront and erase the perpetrators of criminal actions in their borders. Concerning the agreement on consular issues, Eyebe Ayissi said harmonising and adapting them to Central African Economic and Monetary (CEMAC) zone laws, will ensure that the aspirations of the populations of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea are well taken care of to ease movement. He said the reciprocal exemption of visas for holders of diplomatic, official or service passports was a giant step in attaining the objective of facilitating movement.

Members of the two delegations agreed to effectively put in place in the near future the Follow-up and Evaluation Committee of the Ad hoc Commission to regulate consular and trans-border security matters. Minister Eyebe Ayissi said this will enable a careful examination of the conditions of the local border populations and curb recurrent conflicts that crop up. Dialogue to consolidate bilateral cooperation, the Minister said will continue through regular meetings of the Follow-up and Evaluation Committee and working sessions between experts of ministries.

Equatorial Guinea’s delegation leader expressed the determination of his government to seek all ways of fostering cooperation. He reiterated to journalists that the border between Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea was not closed, justifying that trade and other exchanges between the populations were going on. The session finally ended around 1:30 am on Wednesday. The third Ad hoc Commission session will take place in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea on day yet to be determined.