On 29 June 2026, Cameroon took a decisive step in its defence policy. Acting on the direct order of President Paul Biya, head of state and supreme commander of the Cameroonian Armed Forces, the minister delegated to the Presidency for Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, travelled to Ankara to seal an unprecedented agreement with the Republic of Turkey. The signing comes as Yaoundé seeks to diversify its sources of military support amid growing security challenges in the Lake Chad basin and the Southwest.
In Turkey’s capital, Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and his Cameroonian counterpart Joseph Beti Assomo signed the cooperation text. Turkish Deputy Minister Musa Heybet also took part in the negotiations, underscoring Ankara’s commitment to back Cameroon’s modernisation projects. The document, described as “historic”, provides for dedicated financial mechanisms to fund equipment, maintenance and logistics programmes for Yaoundé’s armed forces.
The pact outlines three strategic pillars: first, an enhanced bilateral military cooperation that includes intelligence sharing and joint exercises; second, the training of Cameroonian armed‑force officers at Turkish institutions to raise technical competence; and third, a deepening of overall strategic relations that could lead to defence‑infrastructure projects and defence‑industrial agreements.
During his visit, Joseph Beti Assomo toured the Milli Savunma Üniversitesi (MSÜ), Turkey’s National Defence University, a centre of excellence where Turkish and foreign officers train. The itinerary included meetings with training commanders, inspections of combat‑simulation labs, and discussions on adapting curricula to Cameroon’s specific needs, such as counter‑insurgency and maritime border security.
The cooperation did not emerge from nowhere. For several years Turkey has hosted around ten Cameroonian officers annually at the MSÜ, a practice launched under the Turkish defence minister’s mandate. In May 2025, Minister Yaşar Güler visited Yaoundé and signed a training protocol with Joseph Beti Assomo, laying the groundwork for today’s relationship. This continuity shows a gradual consolidation of the partnership, building mutual trust.
For Cameroonians, the pact opens the door to broader access to modern equipment, dedicated financing and technical expertise that could reduce historic reliance on the former colonial power. Security‑wise, training cadres capable of operating advanced weapon systems should boost response capacity against armed groups in the North‑East and cross‑border trafficking. Economically, the financial flows tied to equipment purchases and training will generate jobs in logistics and maintenance sectors.
Looking ahead to 2027, the two countries already envision pilot projects such as a joint combat‑simulation centre in Ankara and a guarantee fund for Cameroonian acquisitions. The success of these initiatives will hinge on budget transparency and rigorous monitoring of commitments. If those conditions are met, the Cameroon‑Turkey partnership could become a model of South‑Middle‑East cooperation, inspiring other African states to diversify their security alliances.
