Kousséri

Where is Kousséri?

Kousséri is in the Far North Region of Cameroon, about 260 km from Maroua by road.

Kousséri is the capital of the Logone-et-Chari division, in the far north of the country. It lies on the bank of the Logone, near its confluence with the Chari, directly opposite N'Djamena, the capital of Chad, to which bridges connect it. It had 89,123 inhabitants at the 2005 census, ranking eleventh among the country's cities.

History and origin of the name

Originally a Kotoko principality, the town was called Kusseri under the German protectorate, then Fort-Foureau under French administration, after the explorer Fernand Foureau. It is remembered for the Battle of Kousséri on 22 April 1900, in which French troops under Commandant Lamy defeated the warlord Rabah; both commanders were killed.

What to see

• The confluence of the Logone and the Chari, which separates the town from Chad, and the N'Guéli bridge across the border.
• The Sultanate of Kousséri, heir to the former Kotoko principality.

Economy and local life

Kousséri is a major market, geared towards trade with neighbouring Chad. The Kotoko are its original inhabitants; the Shuwa Arabs, many of whom arrived fleeing conflicts in Chad, have become the majority, alongside the Kanuri.

What to eat

The food and drink are those of the Cameroonian Sahel, including foléré, an infusion of hibiscus flowers, and the millet beer known as bili-bili.

Practical information

The climate is Sahelian, with about 585 mm of rain a year, very unevenly spread; the town suffered major floods in 1961, 1986, 2020 and 2022. Maroua is about 260 kilometres away by road. The security situation in the Far North should be checked before any trip.

Distances by road

• Maroua: about 260 km

Approximate distances, city centre to city centre. Travel time depends heavily on road conditions and traffic.