2006 Press Releases
Press Release
US Embassy Inauguration
16 February 2006
On Thursday, 16 February 2006, the US Assistant Secretary of State in charge of Africa, Dr Jendayi Frazer and Cameroon head of State Paul Biya will preside over the inauguration ceremony of the new US embassy compound, located at the suburb of Yaoundé.
This hugely symbolic step in the US-Cameroon cooperation and partnership will be the first time in more than 20 years that a US Assistant Secretary of State is visiting Cameroon, and this is also the first time that a Cameroonian head of State is personally taking part in the inauguration of a foreign embassy in Cameroon.
The new embassy compound, a tangible reflection of the close relationship enjoyed by the US and Cameroon, sends a strong message to the Cameroonian people that the US government is making a clear and firm commitment to the country. Besides the US Ambassador to Cameroon, H.E Niels Marquardt, there will be a very high level American delegation, including US officials and businessmen at this ceremony. For Cameroon, President Paul Biya will be accompanied by the entire Cameroon government, members of the Supreme Court and members of the national assembly, to show appreciation for US’s commitment towards Cameroon and the people of Cameroon.
The new Embassy compound, being a very prominent building in the city, and perhaps the most modern one in the entire country, is the manifestation of a vigorous government-to-government cooperation and of a strong partnership between the two countries.
In addition to the inauguration, the Embassy will use the ceremony as an opportunity to announce the naming of the street in front of the compound after Rosa Parks, the “mother of the modern-day Civil Rights Movement” who passed away recently in Detroit, Michigan.
For additional information, please contact the Public Affairs Section at the Embassy. Tel 220 15 00.