Cameroonian students and workers residing in North Cyprus are urging their government to establish a presence in the breakaway state to assist with passport renewals and other consular services.
Mr. Kelvin, a postgraduate student speaking on behalf of the community, highlighted the challenges faced by Cameroonians due to North Cyprus’s unrecognised status.
“While North Cyprus offers a valuable study opportunity for many Africans,” Mr. Kelvin explained, “the lack of an official Cameroonian consulate creates significant hurdles, particularly for passport renewals.”
Currently, countries like Nigeria and Zimbabwe have representatives stationed at North Cyprus universities to assist their citizens. However, Cameroon has yet to follow suit.
“We’ve attempted to contact the Cameroonian embassy in Ankara, Turkey,” Mr. Kelvin said, “but unfortunately, our efforts haven’t yielded any response.”
This lack of official support has forced Cameroonians to rely on private individuals from the embassy in Spain, a situation Mr. Kelvin described as “costly and inconvenient.”
“There have also been some irregularities with their operations,” he added, raising concerns about the reliability of these unofficial channels.
The Cameroonian community in North Cyprus is calling for a more permanent solution.
“Having dedicated representatives here would be far more convenient and cost-effective,” Mr. Kelvin emphasised. “Everyone deserves the chance to pursue opportunities abroad, regardless of nationality. We urge the Cameroonian authorities to take the necessary steps to support us.”
Mr. Kelvin’s plea highlights the challenges faced by Cameroonians studying and working in a region with complex diplomatic recognition. The situation underscores the need for increased consular services for Cameroonians abroad, particularly in non-traditional destinations
