Cross-border Insecurity Threatens Cameroon’s Tourism

 Tourism officials say over 900.000 tourists visited the country last year meaning Cameroon was a major tourist destination. But increasing cross-border insecurity caused by Boko Haram operating from inside Nigeria, as well as armed rebellions and civil wars emanating from neighbouring countries have been impeding factors in tourist destinations that harbour protected wildlife species.
By Eric Kaba Tah
The first time Cameroon reached the significant milestone figure of 500.000 tourists per year was in 2010 and has almost doubled the figure in just over three years, demonstrating remarkable growth in the tourism sector. 
Eight hundred thousand tourists visited the country in 2012 with an estimated 100.000 more tourists visiting the country last year, 2013; encouraging news for a country often described as Africa in miniature and has what it takes to improve on tourism, especially ecotourism. 
Not only is Cameroon blessed with its geography and beauty, but it hosts a wide array of wildlife species and many of Africa's iconic animals: chimpanzees, elephants, giraffes, gorillas and hippopotami. This makes eco-tourism attractive business.
Several factors account for the improvement in the tourism sector. Infrastructure and adequate logistics facilitate tourist appeal and movement around the country but the underlying ingredient responsible for the growth in tourism in the country is the stunning beauty of the landscape and the wild. 
Many natural wonders are available in Cameroon and these are graced by the continuous presence of wildlife species especially in our parks. The numerous national parks in the country provide wonderful opportunities for tourists to view rare and protected animals. One of the busiest and most important parks in the country and in Francophone Africa is the Waza National Park that is home to numerous species including the antelope, impala, lions, leopards, monkeys, giraffes and elephants among many other wildlife species; that is why many described the news that an eco-guard of the park was arrested while in illegal possession of parts of some of these species as simply disheartening. The arrest was part of a law enforcement effort that the country has deployed over the years to make sure that its wildlife is protected and growth in eco-tourism is just one of the fruits of such endeavours in protecting wildlife. 
Wildlife is a very important resource and its importance is felt throughout the world including countries that provide tourists that visit the country. The US is just one of them. According to Nancy Gelman, Programme Officer of Wildlife Without Borders Programme of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, who recently visited the northern regions of Cameroon, “Wildlife is a global resource that has value to everyone throughout the world and people in the US are very passionate about wildlife.” Last year, Wildlife Without Borders launched a funding scheme to protect wildlife in the Congo basin and the scheme seeks to improve on the management of protected areas that normally have high concentrations of wildlife and reduce threats to key wildlife population. This is of prime importance for wildlife in the region because of the serious security issues we are witnessing in the region. 
A prime factor that shapes tourism in the country is peace. Up till a certain point in the recent past, Cameroon was benefitting from the serene atmosphere it provides to tourists. While the region in general witnessed many security crises, the country managed to stay safe and this attracted tourists from many corners of the world. In his New Year speech, President Biya pointed out that there has been an upsurge of cross-border security problems. This is endangering the brand Cameroon has built over the years as a safe destination. These security issues need to be addressed immediately as reports say the tourism business in the Far North that is home to several parks that attract the bigger share of tourists is now being deserted following recent kidnaps that have been blamed on terrorist group, Boko Haram, operating from inside Nigeria.  
Armed rebellions and civil wars have been playing a devastating part in putting protected wildlife species to the gun in the region. 
What is generally is not talked about during these times is that wildlife  species receive no protection at all when wars erupt in a country as resources, human and material, meant for the protection of wildlife are diverted to fighting wars. To make matters worse, wildlife is viewed as a source of revenue to buy arms. Rebel groups operating in the jungles of the Congo basin have been accused of being deeply involved in ivory trafficking to fund their activities. The recent conflicts tearing apart the Central African Republic (CAR) is a case in point as every resource is now channeled into an unnecessary and destructive armed conflict. In such circumstances wildlife is obviously and completely forgotten. In fact, the Central African wildlife law enforcement support project known as RALF that was built on the Cameroon wildlife law enforcement model and that is part of the EAGLE network of projects that seeks to assist wildlife law enforcement authorities in Africa in the application of laws, has been grounded because of the volatile nature of the country. The conflict in CAR is threatening peace and security along the border with Cameroon and this can never be good news for a country that is gradually emerging as a major tourist destination on the continent.