Cameroon-UK : Evaluating Mutually-Beneficial Ties

Cameroon and the United Kingdom have a unique relationship. Apart from being members of the club of gentlemen (Com monwealth), the two countries share- many common historical facts. For the past three years, the British High Commissioner to Cameroon, H.E Barry Lowen who has come to the end of his stay in Cameroon, has kept the flame of the long-standing relations burning. In an exclusive interview to Cameroon Tribune, the British High Commissioner throws more light on his fruitful diplomatic actives in Cameroon.

You have come to the end of your stay in Cameroon. What balance sheet can you make?
I would like to thank Cameroonians for their welcome and hospitality during my stay in Cameroon. It’s been a real pleasure as two members of the Commonwealth family working together. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting a full variety of Cameroonians beginning at the top with H.E. President Paul Biya, right down to the vibrant media, businessmen, people working in schools and particularly entrepreneurs. During the Promote Trade Fair, we supported over 200 young and old entrepreneurs. I have enjoyed visiting a number of places across Cameroon. It’s impressive to see virgin forest, mountains, the beaches of Kribi and the wide spaces of the Far North. I also enjoyed a variety of exciting cultural activities with music in particular. It is right to say Cameroon is Africa in miniature. So in terms of balance sheet, as I leave, we have a very good, strong and long-standing relationship including trade with an increase in transactions between the two countries. I was delighted when we launched the first financial business guide and an online Cameroon-UK trade hub (cameroonuktradehub.com) which will increase business activities between the two countries, education partnerships, English language and modern approaches to teaching. I am also delighted with the people-to-people exchanges. We have a very active Cameroonian diaspora in the UK like in football. These are great bases of a good relationship. So as I leave, I have the full sense of Cameroon potential and real sense of hope that Cameroon will continue to succeed and its young people are able to unleash their energies, their ideas and ambitions for the future.

What is the state of relations between Yaounde and London?
I would say, relations between Yaounde and London are excellent. Our new government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said it wants to reset our relationship with the global self and recognizes the importance of Africa. So I think there is a great base for the two countries to keep moving towards the same direction.

Since the start of the crisis in the English speaking Regions of Cameroon, many in these two Regions are of the opinion that the UK has abandoned them. What is your say?
I don’t recognize...