The Permanent Joint Security Commission’s second session, as well as the 5th Ad Hoc Trans-border Commission between Cameroon and the Central African Republic, are meeting in Yaounde.
Experts will assess the level of implementation of the recommendations made during the first session, which took place in Bertoua on February 6 and 7, 2010.
Cameroon’s delegation to the Mixed Commission meeting is led by Paul Atanga Nji, Minister of Territorial Administration. The Minister Delegate in charge of Defence and the Minister of External Relations are also present.
The Central African delegation to discuss the trans-border issues is led by Bruno Yapande, Minister of Territorial Administration, Decentralization, and Local Development. The Central African Republic’s Minister of Defense is also in attendance.
The session will also provide an update on the current state of cross-border security. Insecurity along the common border has been a major source of concern for both countries thus far.
Incursions into Cameroon’s territory have been reported on several occasions, mostly by elements of the rebel group or other armed men.
The discussions are expected to focus on finding long-term solutions to security challenges as well as preventing the movement of contraband across the porous border.
The commission is also expected to adopt measures to combat transnational crime and to create an enabling environment for free movement of people across borders.
Following the conclusion of the discussions, experts from Cameroon and the Central African Republic will make recommendations to strengthen cross-border cooperation while capitalizing on the many opportunities provided by the border program to support projects of the Economic Community of Central African States.