Stranded in Bahrain, Cameroonian expatriates face a double whammy: exorbitant fees for travel documents and a glaring absence of diplomatic support. Their plight, marked by financial strain and bureaucratic hurdles, begs the attention of the Cameroonian authorities, particularly Mr Iya Tidjani, Ambassador of Cameroon to Saudi Arabia.
The crux of the issue lies in renewing Cameroonian passports within Bahrain. One anonymous citizen, having already renewed while the previous passport was valid, now faces a shocking demand: 80,000 CFA francs for a mere cancellation stamp. This, they exclaim, is outrageous, exceeding the cost of obtaining a new passport back home.
Adding insult to injury is the perceived apathy of Cameroonian representatives in Bahrain. Accused of neglecting their fellow citizens, their absence exacerbates the plight of the expatriate community, leaving them vulnerable to exploitative practices.
The financial burden of these exorbitant fees is dire. Some, like the concerned expatriate who spoke out, have even lost their jobs due to the strain. This desperate plea for intervention from Cameroonian authorities highlights the urgency of addressing the situation.
“Our representatives here are not helping us,” they lament. “The cost of renewing a passport in Bahrain is three times what it is back home! This exploitation is causing us to lose our jobs.”
This call to action demands a swift response from the Cameroonian government. Expatriates hope their voices will reach the relevant authorities and prompt a resolution. As the spotlight falls on diplomatic channels, the welfare and rights of Cameroonian citizens abroad must be prioritised.
It is worth noting that in May this year, a Cameroonian shared their perspective with MMI, and was astonished by the exorbitant costs associated with obtaining passports, national identification cards, and education in the country compared to other African nations.
Having lived in Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, and various countries, the individual lamented that Cameroonians are facing disproportionately high expenses for acquiring essential documents and education, contrasting with the nearly cost-free services in other nations. Expressing concern, they question the rationale behind the challenging and expensive process of obtaining an ID card in Cameroon, citing a stark difference with the much lower costs in Equatorial Guinea (2,000frs) and Ethiopia (45 Ethiopian Birr, approximately 500frs).
