La politique étrangère du Cameroun en Afrique centrale: constances et fluctuations

This study is an analysis of the foreign policy of Cameroon in Central Africa treated mainly as comprising member states of CEMAC plus Nigeria and secondarily as comprising the members of ECCAS. Contrary to the arguments that support the idea of the diplomatic inertia of Cameroon in the sub region, this study argues that Cameroon, like most state in international relations is an actor in the international scene as well as in the sub-regional sphere defends its national interest to the best of its geographical, historical and cultural characteristics. She is indeed a rational actor who, in a favorable situation is able by her actions, to maximize her national interests by strengthening regional cooperation through bilateral or multilateral cooperation with her partners and in a negative scenario, will compromise it as long as this serves her national interests. This dualorientation of the diplomatic activities of Cameroon in Central Africa, without being inconsistent, reflects the dynamism of its foreign policy. Dynamic, because in its deployment in the sub-region, it can be oriented and reoriented according to its perceived national interests, challenges and changing circumstances. Thus, its modes of action are, with the countries of the sub-region, constantly prioritised and “re-prioritsed”. In some areas of cooperation, her relations are influenced by circumstances and the perception of her national interests. Thus as function of her national interests, Cameroons relations are more intense with some actors and less with others at different times. In a situation of escalation of conflict in the sub-region, her actions are sanctioned by rational choices. Also, Cameroon prefers diplomatic means to coercive or interventionist approaches. She thus gives first place to pacific means in resolving conflicts within the sub-region, in which case the respect of international law, the use of mediation and multilateral peacekeeping, especially through the UN or alternatively within the framework of sub-regional organizations are prioritised.