Yaounde - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Crime at night. We are advised not to walk alone at night, but during the day it's completely fine. - Feb 2022
I will start by saying my family feels safe here following the guidelines. That said, there are security concerns. As stated, each home is a compound with 24 hour guards and high secured walls. It is not recommended to take public transportation or to be on foot after dark. I would not allow my kids to walk around outside unsupervised - something that was an adjustment after living in China. With the current crisis in Cameroon, Yaounde feels pretty safe but there are restrictions to which regions we should visit. - Jan 2020
Yes, avoid walking if the sun is not up, as you risk being mugged. - Jun 2018
In Yaounde, there are the standard security concerns with petty theft, pickpocketing, etc. Break-ins happen but are not common, and overall it's a fairly safe place as long as you are smart and not in places you shouldn't be. There are security concerns further afield, such as in the far north, but you will never be there unless it's for work, in which case you'd have plenty of security. - Apr 2017
This is the most stable country in the Central African Region. Embassy personnel must get permission from the RSO to travel in the Northern Region of Cameroon due to kidnappings by Boko Haram. - Apr 2014
In Yaounde, it's the normal things. Lock your doors, don't go around with lots of money, jewelry, or purses. Just put a bit of cash in your pocket when out and about. Don't walk around with a camera taking pictures. If you do have a camera, ask before you take pictures of people. I think the security concerns are more important when traveling out of town. Travel up north may be prohibited for U.S. embassy employees and family members ever since the French family was kidnapped while vacationing there. - Jan 2014
Yes, but if you take precautions (well secured home base, travel with someone, don't carry lots of cash, don't show all your jewelry, stay away from tougher areas...), you should be fine. - May 2012
Just the big difference between the incomes of expats and the average Cameroonian. That creates incentive for robbery. There are guards at all houses of any worth, basically. - Sep 2011
Yaounde is designated as a high crime post, but in the daytime I have never felt unsafe. However, I do know of families from other embassies who have had their homes broken into, one of those families on numerous occasions. There's a reason that the houses all have high walls, razor wire, and 24-hour guards. But if you don't do stupid things, you're basically safe. - Mar 2010
Not really, quite safe, only crimes of opportunity. I have not heard on anyone having a home invasion or a car jacking. - Jan 2010
Yaounde is designated as a critical security threat post. There are cases of violent crime that occur regularly, but there are in the continental U.S. as well. All housing has 24-hour security guards as well as security upgrades on doors and windows. There is a threat but it isn't a daily struggle. I have yet to encounter any problems. - Nov 2008
High crime - but mostly crimes of opportunity. - Sep 2008
This is a crime critical post that experienced civil unrest in February 2008. All Embassy housing has security bars on windows, 24 hour guards, and high walls covered in razor wire. - Jun 2008
Any house that doesn't have 24-hour guards and substantial fencing will be broken into. There is no travel allowed for U.S. Government employees outside the city after dark. Lots of economically motivated robberies for cellphones, cash, jewelery. - Jun 2008
