At the end of the deliberations of the first ordinary meeting of Cameroon/CAR Permanent Joint Security Commission, held in Bertoua on 6 and 7 February 2010, the two parties have adopted a plan of action to control transboundary insecurity for the next twelve months. The joint communiqué issued at the end of the meeting in Bertoua presents the key resolutions.

JOINT COMMUNIQUE OF THE FIRST ORDINARY SESSION OF THE CAMEROON - CAR PERMANENT JOINT SECURITY COMMISSION HELD IN BERTOUA ON 6 AND 7 FEBRUARY 2010.

The First Ordinary Session of the Cameroon-CAR Permanent Joint Security Commission took place in Bertoua on 6 and 7 February 2010 at the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Cameroon.

The Cameroonian delegation was led by the Minister of State, Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, MARAFA HAMIDOU YAYA.

The Central African delegation was led by the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, ELIE OUEIFIO.

In their respective introductory statements, the two heads of delegation expressed satisfaction with the excellent cooperation ties between both countries and the brotherly and friendly peoples of the Central African Republic and Cameroon, as well as the consolidation of these ties, marked by the effective signing, in Bangui, on 24 August 2006, of the agreement to set up the Permanent Joint Security Commission between Cameroon and CAR, and by the recent official visit to Yaounde, on 8 and 9 December 2009, of His Excellency François BOZIZE YANGOUVONDA , President of the Central African Republic, at the invitation of His Excellency PAUL BIYA, President of the Republic of Cameroon.

The two heads of delegation placed the deliberations of the first ordinary session of the Permanent Joint Security Commission in the spirit of renewed confidence between the highest authorities of the two States and their firm determination to further strengthen our common boundary security.

Pursuant to the agenda adopted on agreed terms, proceedings centred on the following items:

1. Assessment of the implementation of recommendations adopted during the first session of the Ad Hoc Joint Security Commission Cameroon/CAR held in Bertoua from 12 to 16 December 2005;

2. Review of the draft agreement protocol to organize and govern the Joint Restricted Committee provided for by Article 4 of the Agreement setting up the Permanent Joint Security Commission.

3. State of security at the common boundary;

4. Designing and adoption of a roadmap for transboundary insecurity control;

5. Miscellaneous.

While thoroughly assessing the implementation of the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Joint Security Commission meeting held in Bertoua in 2005, both delegations noted with satisfaction the significant measures and actions taken by each State and agreed on the need to continue and strengthen them to ensure that joint and appropriate solutions are found to different persisting security issues on either side of the common boundary. Accordingly, they recommended that the Joint Restricted Committee provided for by the Agreement of 24 August 2006 to set up the Permanent Joint Security Commission should be put in place and start functioning effectively.

After reviewing the project related thereto and the subsequent amendments, both heads of delegation signed the Agreement Protocol to organize and govern the Joint Restricted Committee.

After acknowledging that security at the common boundary is witnessing significant progress due to the strong measures taken in each State to control the phenomenon of « highway robbery», armed banditry and transboundary crime, both parties reaffirmed their firm determination to eradicate these vices. Accordingly, they have designed and adopted a roadmap for transboundary insecurity control in 2010, with specified actions and operations to be jointly conducted, in compliance with timeframes set for the purpose.

The members of the two delegations commended the spirit of brotherhood, conviviality and mutual trust that prevailed during the deliberations.

The Central African delegation expressed deep gratitude to the Head of State, the Government and the people of Cameroon for the warm hospitality given them.

Both parties agreed to hold the second ordinary session of the Permanent Joint Security Commission in the Central African Republic on October 2011, at a date to be agreed upon, after proposals through the diplomatic channels./-