The Head of State has just signed a decree creating a military mission at the Cameroonian embassy in Algeria.

On January 13th, the national station, CRTV, this military mission covers Algeria, Spain and Portugal, with residence in Algiers. Paul Biya said that this decree abrogates “all previous provisions to the contrary“.

According to the decree of 21 March 2012 on the creation and organisation of military missions in diplomatic posts of Cameroon abroad, the military mission is headed by an officer appointed by decree of the President of the Republic and bearing the title of defence attaché. The latter is the advisor and expert to the ambassador in matters of defence.

He is responsible, among other things, for the protection of the interests of the Cameroonian defence forces ‘within the limits allowed by international law’, the protection of friendly relations between the defence forces of Cameroon and those of the accrediting countries, the open search by ‘legal means’ for information in the field of interest to the Cameroonian army, as well as prospecting for equipment, and participation in their acquisition.

This decree comes in a context of sporting tensions between the two countries, after the victory of Cameroon against Algeria (2-1) on 29 March in Blida and qualifying for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar. On social networks, some Algerian fans were indignant about the presence of Roger Milla who is among the personalities invited to the opening ceremony of the African Nations Championship (Chan) 2022 which starts this Friday on Algerian soil. Some online reports have suggested that Cameroon has decided to boycott the tournament because of this sporting dispute.