At New Year wishes ceremony: Biya crusades dialogue, appeasement to handle global crises.

The President of the Republic made the appeal Friday January 5. This was during the New Year wishes presentation ceremony at the Unity Palace. 

On that day, he received best wishes from diplomats and representatives of international organisations accredited to Cameroon and from national dignitaries.

He warned that global conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israeli-Palestinian war in Gaza and others across the globe are posing a danger to human existence. The same conflicts, he said, are having a devastating effect on development.

To reverse the trend and guarantee a world of equity, the Head of State counseled world leaders to prioritise dialogue and appeasement. 

Renews trust in UN

Even in the face of challenges facing the global diplomatic body, the United Nations, UN, Biya declared that Cameroon as a country still believes the institution, through its values, has much to offer the world.

While underscoring the need for a fresh approach to handle global challenges, the President of the Republic used the event to justify Cameroon’s push for former Prime Minister, Philemon Yunji Yang, to be voted president of the 79th UN General Assembly this year. 

He appealed for countries accredited to Yaounde to support the country’s candidate for the UN job. 

Biya also appreciated the constant support Cameroon enjoyies from multilateral partners. 

He asked diplomats to extend his wishes for the New Year to the leaders of their respective communities, sounding positive that such synergy will continue in 2024.

Cameroon & the world in 2023

Before the Head of State’s address, the diplomatic community’s message had been read through the longest serving diplomat accredited to Cameroon, Paul Patrick Biffot, Gabonese High Commissioner to Cameroon. 

Biffot reviewed the world in 2023, saluting the clairvoyance of the Head of State in making Cameroon’s presence felt in different ramifications.

He lauded Cameroon for being active in resource mobilisation to enhance development and for coming to the aid of friendly nations.

In the Central African Subregion, Biffot disclosed that the diplomatic community is pleased with Cameroon’s positive influence in 2023. 

The same reading, the diplomat said, has been made by representatives of multilateral organisations.

The dean of the diplomatic corps cited the holding of the 15^th session of Heads of State and Government of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, CEMAC, in Yaounde as an aspect that demonstrated Cameroon’s leadership position in the Subregion. 

Cameroon’s participation at the Conference of Parties on Climate Change, COP28, in the United Arab Emirates, UAE, was also hailed.

Int’l community re-commits to support Cameroon

Biffot, on behalf of the diplomats said the international community is committed to continue working with Cameroon. 

He saluted Biya’s participation at the second Russia-Africa Summit in  Saint Petersburg; the  holding of the 44^th session of  Ministers  of  the La Francophonie in Yaounde and Biya’s presence at the Paris summit on New Global Financial Pact among others.

Biya’s support to UN reforms saluted

In the face of a push for reforms within the UN system to guarantee greater representation for African countries, Biffot said Biya has not failed in adding his voice and wisdom to the drive. 

He also saluted the Head of State’s ingenuity in bringing to the limelight the role of Russia in the decolonisation of Africa.

Security challenges in 2023, hope for peace in 2024

Security challenges, Biffot averred, made 2023 a year of pockets of violence and sufferings. He mentioned Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Gaza, Congo DRC and Sudan but projected the need for dialogue for peace to reign.

Back in Cameroon, he extended the condolences of the diplomatic community to Biya over what he said were pockets of deadly incidents in the North West and South West Regions that claimed the lives of civilians and some security officers. 

Biffot expressed the hope that efforts to achieve complete peace and order in the restive Regions will manifest sooner than expected. 

The international community, he said, remains open to support government achieve that objective.

He also recalled support from the international community for Cameroon in the war against Boko Haram in the Far North Region and actions taken to ensure security in the Gulf of Guinea.

In the area of hosting refugees, Biffot, on behalf of diplomats, thanked Cameroon for hosting some 400,000 Nigerian and Central African Republic, CAR, nationals displaced due to insecurity. Cameroon’s hospitality and humanity, he said must be saluted.

Cameroon’s resilience, tackling food insecurity

The Gabonese diplomat also threw flowers at Cameroon for manifesting resilience in the face of global challenges. Biffot further saluted actions taken to make real government’s National Development Strategy, SND30. 

He also announced the commitment of the international community to support Cameroon mobilise resources to tackle food insecurity.

Arts, cultural & sports exploits

In other social domains, diplomats accredited to Yaounde saluted gains made in 2023 in the fields of culture, arts and sports. 

The admission of the Bamoun festival Nguon to the United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNSECO heritage list, was also gloried.

Biffot said in the arts and cultural sector, Cameroon shone globally. In terms of sports, he heralded the exploits of Mixed Martial Arts, MMA fighter and boxer, Francis Ngannou in 2023. 

He also wished the Indomitable Lions well at the 34^th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON tournament that will get underway in Cote D’Ivoire on January 13.   

National dignitaries take queue 

Still in the afternoon of Friday, Biya retired briefly to his office before surfacing again to receive New Year wishes from dignitaries invited from across the nation. 

The comprised members of government were led by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute; the Bureau of the Senate under the leadership of its Senior Vice President, Senator Abdoulaye Boubakari and the Bureau of the National Assembly under the command of its long serving House Speaker, Hon Cavaye Yeguie Djibril. Religious and political party leaders among other collaborators of the Head of State also performed the ritual.