Less than two weeks after the United States of America, USA Ambassador to Cameroon, His Excellency Michael Stephen Hoza, was at the Ministry of External Relations, on October 15, 2014, to discuss joint efforts to combat the insecurity created by Boko Haram in the Far North Region, he was there again on Tuesday, October 28, 2014.

After meeting with the Minister Delegate in charge of Relations with the Islamic World, Adoum Gargoum, Ambassador Hoza said he came because there have been a lot of developments in the sub-region. Thus, the need to meet regularly to exchange views on the situation and renew the partnership to combat the challenges before the two sides.

Asked what was new in the joint fight against Boko Haram, the US diplomat said the partnership between Cameroon and the US was growing stronger; with the two countries now closer in the struggle against the militants.

On the specifics of what he has done to help Cameroon fight Boko Haram since taking up office last month, the Envoy said; “Most of what has been done has been on the military side, which is very important; but the details cannot be shared in public for obvious reasons. What is important is that cooperation between our two countries is becoming more and more intense.

We look forward to the day when there will be peace throughout the sub-region,” he said on a note of hope. Asked if there was anything the US was doing to ensure that Cameroon also benefits from the recent ceasefire announcement between Nigeria and Boko Haram, he said his country encourages all efforts to bring peace to the sub-region.

Also up for discussion at Tuesday’s meeting was how to expand Cameroon’s economy, especially through eco-tourism, by protecting endangered wildlife species. “There has been some fabulous progress on the part of the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, and we are very encouraged by that. We know Cameroon is a beautiful site for tourists from around the world to come and see,” His Excellency Michael Stephen Hoza pointed out.