Media Statement

03 April 2023

Minister Pandor arrives in Yaoundé, Cameroon for an Official Working Visit

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, arrived in Yaoundé, Cameroon, this afternoon for an Official Working Visit on 3–5 April 2023.

Minister Pandor’s programme in Cameroon includes a bilateral meeting with her counterpart, HE Lejeune Mbella Mbella, the Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Cameroon, on 4 April 2023.

It is hoped that Minister Pandor’s visit to Cameroon will not only reinvigorate relations between the two countries but provide an opportune moment to institute a Joint Cooperation Commission (JCC), as provided for in the General Cooperation Agreement signed in September 2006.

Minister Pandor will also pay a courtesy call on President Paul Biya, the President of the Republic of Cameroon.

In the afternoon, Minister Pandor will address and participate in the Roundtable Business Forum, which will be attended by the senior executives of the South African businesses in Cameroon and the Cameroon Businesses.

Cameroon/South Africa Relations

The Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Cameroon have enjoyed full diplomatic relations since 1994.

The Cameroon High Commission was opened in South Africa in 1998 and South Africa opened a High Commission in Yaoundé in 2003. The two countries have a structured bilateral mechanism at the level of Senior Officials to discuss bilateral issues and cooperation.

Cameroon is one of the countries in Africa identified as an important partner for South Africa. South Africa is interested in strengthening this relationship to benefit both countries and the African continent. Cameroon is the biggest regional economy in Central Africa.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building

460 Soutpansberg Road

Rietondale

Pretoria

0084