US Military Prepares Return to Cameroon’s Far North
YAOUNDÉ — The United States military is preparing to re-establish a presence at the Salak military base in Cameroon’s Far North region, marking a significant strategic shift seven years after withdrawing its troops from the country.
The base in Maroua, which recently underwent refurbishment, is now ready to receive American personnel under the command of Colonel Albert Bias of Cameroon’s elite Bataillon d’Intervention Rapide (BIR).
This redeployment aims to bolster Cameroonian forces as they face intensifying pressure from jihadist groups, including the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) and Jama’tu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), which have increased attacks, cattle raids, and trafficking in the region this year.
A Reversal of Strained Relations
This move signals a notable thaw in bilateral relations. In 2019, the United States ended its formal military cooperation with Yaoundé, recalling approximately 300 soldiers who had been deployed there since 2015. That withdrawal occurred under the administration of President Donald Trump, which was highly critical of the Cameroonian government and the handling of the Anglophone crisis.
Consequently, Cameroon was excluded from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in 2019, a sanction that remains in effect.
Strategic Rationale
The Biden administration’s push for a return to Maroua is part of a broader effort by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) to secure new operating bases near the Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea following the 2023 coup in Niger, which led to the closure of the Agadez base.
Washington is seeking a more sustainable regional presence, one less vulnerable to local political volatility. The current rapprochement, which includes high-level meetings between US officials and President Paul Biya regarding intelligence, cybersecurity, and mining sector interests, is seen as mutually beneficial: the US expands its regional intelligence capabilities, while the Cameroonian regime secures support from a major global power at a time of internal weakness.
This comes at the time when the US seems to have renewed cordial relationship with Cameroon also including Repatriation of unwanted asylum seekers and convicts to Cameroon.
US media reported that the Biya regime negotiated and accepted the terms but also got assurance that the US will not interfere in Cameroon’s internal affairs.
Additional Source: Africa Intelligence, “Cameroon • US military prepares return to Far North” (published 05.06.2026).
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