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Remarks upon the Occasion of the Grand Opening Ceremony of the
United States Embassy Branch Office in Douala, Cameroon

Chargé d’Affaires Richard W. Nelson

Thursday, August 30, 2007

C’est pour moi un profond honneur d’être ici pour célébrer les liens chaleureux d’amitié entre les Etats-Unis et le Cameroun, dans notre marche commune vers l’accomplissement des objectifs de nos deux pays.  Les représentants de nos deux gouvernements sont ici aujourd’hui pour inaugurer ensemble, et de manière officielle, le Bureau de l’Ambassade des Etats-Unis à Douala.

Cet événement symbolise les liens forts de coopération entre nos deux gouvernements, et nos deux peuples.  Ici dans la capitale économique du Cameroun, ainsi qu’à Yaoundé, nous travaillons ensemble, et au quotidien, sur beaucoup de sujets d’intérêt pour nos deux pays.

Le Bureau de l’Ambassade des Etats-Unis à Douala s’occupe de la communauté des citoyens américains implantés dans le Littoral.  De plus, il répond aux besoins de la communauté des affaires des Etats-Unis et du Cameroun, dans leur recherche des opportunités pour investir dans l’avenir du Cameroun.

Whenever I come to this city, I am impressed by the non-stop activity, the endless variety of people and places, and of the many things to do here.  I also think of the heat for which it is justifiably famous, but more than that, I think of the warmth and energy of the people here.

Many people regard Douala as the most important city in Cameroon, indeed, as one of the most important cities in Africa.  It is well known as the country’s commercial capital, and in fact it has been both a political and commercial capital.  But the word “capital” refers to the head, and I prefer to think of Douala as the heart of Cameroon, its lifeblood, a city that nourishes the rest of the country.

Nous Américains voyons une similitude entre deux de nos grandes métropoles, et les deux grandes villes du Cameroun.  Washington, notre capitale politique, est notre version de Yaoundé.  New York, notre capitale commerciale, est notre version de Douala.  Et, comme vous le savez peut-être, le slogan touristique de New York City est: « I love New York ».  Ainsi, permettez-moi de dire: « J’aime Douala ».

The history of Douala as a trade center has its origins in the people for whom it was named, the leading traders of their time.  As a port city, it harkens back to 1472, when it was first visited by the Portuguese.  The Germans built up the port and made it the capital city until 1919, and it was again the capital under the French until 1941.

Douala is the most important seaport in the CEMAC region, handling over six million tons of cargo yearly, comprising 90 percent of the foreign trade for Cameroon.  It also is the major port for the Central African Republic and Chad, handling over 85 percent of imports for those countries.  It is not only a commercial capital, but also a travel hub, with an international airport and rail connections to the rest of the country.

As one of the major industrial centers of central Africa, Douala is home to a full spectrum of businesses, from breweries to textile factories and food-processing plants.  It produces building materials, metalwork, plastics, glass, paper, bicycles, and timber products.

Je pourrai continuer d’apprécier les nombreuses qualités de Douala, mais mon but aujourd’hui est de célébrer le nouvel édifice de l’Ambassade américaine, qui reflète l’estime que les Etats-Unis ont pour cette grande ville.  Nos relations officielles avec Douala commencèrent juste après l’établissement des premières relations diplomatiques, et ont évolué en même temps que la ville.

In 1964, an American consulate was opened in Douala, seven years after the appointment of the first U.S. Consul in Cameroon.  Although the Douala Consulate was officially closed in 1993, it was replaced by the Central Africa Logistics Office, staffed with four local employees and one American supervisor.  The office provided logistical support for cargo bound for embassies in Yaoundé, Ndjamena, Bangui and Malabo.

By the year 2000, the Embassy realized that much more was needed, reflecting America’s growing relationship with Cameroon, particularly in the commercial sector.  As a result, the Central Africa Logistics Office was transformed into an Embassy Branch Office and expanded its services to include travel assistance to official visitors and support for commercial activities.  As a Branch Office, it represents the presence of the American Embassy itself in Douala.

Today, this new Embassy Branch Office, or “EBO,” with its much improved offices, employs eight Cameroonian nationals and one American officer.  In addition to official travel assistance, the EBO now provides a full range of American Citizen Services, such as passport issuance and renewals, notarial services, government forms and emergency services.

The EBO still operates as the logistics center for receiving diplomatic cargo.
As a representational office, the EBO is often called upon to assist in regional activities, and the staff members here today played a major role in support of the Central African conference of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or “AGOA,” here in Douala earlier this year.  The EBO also offers extensive commercial services to local companies wanting to do business with the United States.

There is a substantial American community in this city.  Many American citizens are working here for U.S. companies or with other multinational firms.  Most of these companies are members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Cameroon, which has headquarters in Douala.  The American School of Douala has an enrollment of over 130 students, 35 percent of whom are Cameroonian.

Les Etats-Unis sont maintenant les premiers investisseurs au Cameroun.  Nous pensons que la liberté économique et politique présentent les meilleures opportunités pour le Cameroun, et le meilleur investissement que nous pouvons faire pour le Cameroun est de tendre notre main, en signe d’amitié, afin d’encourager la liberté et la prospérité ici.  Ce Bureau de l’Ambassade américaine est dédié à renforcer cette amitié et à booster les relations commerciales, et nous entendons voir les progrès du Cameroun dans les années à venir.

Je voudrai remercier très sincèrement son excellence le Gouverneur de la province du Littoral, et tous les autres représentants du gouvernement présents ici aujourd’hui, ainsi que les représentants du ministère des relations extérieures, pour votre participation à cette cérémonie. (photo gallery)