The U.S. Embassy alerts U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to the Far North region of Cameroon and recommends against travel to this region, which includes the city of Maroua. In February 2013, Nigerian terrorists affiliated with Boko Haram kidnapped a French family travelling from Waza National Park in Cameroon and took them from Cameroon into Nigeria. The French family was released after being held captive for two months, but there is a continuing concern that expatriates could be targeted in the Far North region of Cameroon. This travel alert expires on August 26, 2013.

While we alert U.S. citizens against all travel to the Far North of Cameroon, we also urge extreme caution when travelling in the North region of Cameroon, especially in areas which border Nigeria. Nigeria recently declared a state of emergency in the states of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe (Adamawa and Borno states in Nigeria share borders with the North and Far North regions of Cameroon). The Nigerian military has stepped up military operations against Boko Haram in these states. This could adversely affect security in neighboring regions of Cameroon should terrorists cross into Cameroon to avoid Nigerian military operations.

The U.S. Embassy has placed restrictions on travel by U.S. officials to the Far North of Cameroon; all U.S. officials must receive advance clearance from the U.S. Embassy to travel to the Far North, including the city of Maroua. 

You can stay in touch and get Embassy updates by checking the U.S. Embassy Yaounde web site (yaounde.usembassy.gov). You can also get global updates at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information. If you don't have internet access, you may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or from other countries on a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). You may also follow U.S. Embassy Yaounde’s Twitter feed for information for U.S. citizens at twitter.com/USEmbCameroon. 

The U.S. Embassy in Yaounde encourages U.S. citizens to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (step.state.gov) for the most up-to-date security information. Keep all of your information in STEP up to date by maintaining your current phone numbers and email addresses where you can be reached in case of an emergency. U.S. citizens may also download our free Smart Traveler App from iTunes and the Google Play store to have travel information at their fingertips.

The U.S. Embassy in Yaoundé (yaounde.usembassy.gov) is located at Avenue Rosa Parks close to the Mont Febe Golf Club. The telephone number is 237 2220-1500 ext. 4341/4023. The number for after-hours emergencies is 237 2220-1500 ext. 4531. The fax number is 237 2220-1572. The Embassy’s e-mail address is yaoundeacs@state.gov.