U.S finally appoints new Ambassador to Cameroon

After over nine months of feet-dragging, the United States Senate on July 29 finally confirmed Michael Stephen Hoza as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Cameroon.

In an op-ed last month titled “Why Is the Senate Hobbling American Diplomacy?” United States Secretary of State John Kerry blamed the delay which he said was hampering regional cooperation on his country’s Senate.

Hoza is a career member of the U.S. Senior Foreign Service with extensive executive experience in challenging missions.

His experience as a Deputy Chief of Mission, his work in Nepal to combat trafficking in persons and his work in Kenya to promote better governance and transparency will be especially valuable experience to bring to Cameroon.

He has extensive political and military experience, fostering joint training programs throughout Africa.

Hoza earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. He speaks French and Portuguese and has a working knowledge of Spanish. He is the recipient of five individual Superior Honor Awards, a Group Award for Valor, and four Senior Foreign Service Performance Awards.

Appearing before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on September 24, 2013, Hoza stated that Cameroon is a relatively stable country in a region that is less so. Recent events in both Nigeria and the Central African Republic continue to spill over into Cameroon, where an influx of new refugees is taxing local resources.

The insecurity in neighboring countries, he continued, compounded with the growing threat of extremism by Boko Haram in Cameroon’s Far North region, has the potential to threaten Cameroon’s security and stability.

He added that Cameroon has taken a leading role in combating piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and is active in regional and domestic efforts against wildlife trafficking.

“If confirmed (as U.S. Ambassador to Cameroon), I will continue to support U.S. efforts to strengthen Cameroon’s military capacity to confront terrorism, piracy and wildlife trafficking and to encourage greater Cameroonian engagement in regional security matters,” assured the new Ambassador who replaces Robert P. Jackson.

Hoza also promised to strengthen economic relationship – one of the cornerstones of U.S.-Cameroon ties. “Achieving this goal, as well as Cameroon’s goal of promoting increased U.S. investment in Cameroon, will require continued attention to improving the country’s business climate, addressing endemic corruption, and improving transparency,” he said.

The kidnapping of French expatriates in Cameroon’s Far North region earlier last year, Hoza said, demonstrated that even in a seemingly stable and safe country such as Cameroon, the threat of violence and extremism can be a reality.

“It has also reaffirmed that, now more than ever, the safety and security of our American staff and citizens overseas needs to be at the forefront of our mission. If confirmed, I will ensure that this remains a top priority for the embassy,” Hoza who is now confirmed, pledged.