Cameroon has not yet made a significant step out onto the world scene. Its foreign policy is generally one of non-interference and assistance. Cameroon's internal problems (the static economy and political corruption) prevent it from assuming a predominate role in the international affairs of the region. In December 1999, the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of African Affairs made this statement on the foreign policy of Cameroon:
                                Cameroon's noncontentious, low profile approach to foreign relations
                                puts it squarely in the middle of other African and developing country
                                states on major issues. It supports the principles of noninterference in
                                the affairs of third countries and increased assistance to
                                underdeveloped countries. Cameroon is an active participant in the
                                United Nations, where its voting record demonstrates its commitment
                                to causes that include international peacekeeping, the rule of law,
                                environmental protection, and Third World economic development. In
                                the UN and other human rights fora, Cameroon's non confrontational
                                approach has generally led it to avoid criticizing other countries.

                                Cameroon enjoys good relations with the United States and other
                                developed countries. It has particularly close ties with France, with
                                whom it has numerous military, economic, and cultural agreements.
                                China has a number of health and infrastructure projects underway in
                                Cameroon. Cameroon enjoys generally good relations with its African
                                neighbors, except for Nigeria, with whom it is engaged in a sporadic
                                armed conflict in the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula. Cameroon has
                                repeatedly demonstrated its preference for resolving this conflict
                                through peaceful legal means and has submitted its case to the
                                International Court of Justice. It supports UN peacekeeping activities
                                in Central Africa.¹

In addition to the above mentioned role of Cameroon in the UN, Cameroon is also a founding member of the World Trade Organization. The most significant war that Cameroon has been involved in since its independence was with Nigeria over the Bakassi Peninsula (mentioned above). The jury at the ICJ is currently hearing arguments from both sides as to whom is the rightful owner of the land. Cameroon has also had international dispute with Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria over tripartite maritime boundary and economic zone, as well as disputes over the international boundaries in the vicinity of lake Chad (disputed between Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria). (infoplease.com)²
 

The close relationship with France is a result of the colonial period. France remained heavily involved in Cameroon even after Cameroon became independent. This graph shows trade between Cameroon and France over the past ten years. It has remained high and stable. The Mission Economique reports, "France remains the main trade partner of Cameroon with a flow of C.F.A 508.6 thousand million".3 Exports from France to Cameroon include: Pharmaceutical products, cars and car parts, computer equipment, industrial cereals and plants, extraction or building equipment. France's imports from Cameroon include: Aluminum, fruits and plants, drinks, cocoa, coffee, tea, wood products, and crude oil.

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