At New Year wishes ceremony: Diplomats urge Biya to pursue dialogue to end Anglophone crisis.

The appeal was made for the umpteenth time by the dean of the diplomatic corps, H.E Paul Patrick Biffot, the Gabonese Ambassador to Cameroon.

This was during the Year New wishes ceremony which held at the Unity Palace Friday January 6. Worth noting is that the event was holding after a two-year break due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The Gabonese diplomat saluted the “efforts, engagements and the determination of the state” in the fight against conflicts that affect the populations of North West, South West regions as well as terrorist attacks in the Far North regions and strongly condemned all acts that negatively affect national cohesion.  

“These conflicts and tragedy of a sheer barbarism, we will never say it enough, are too many. This leads us to support without any reservations, actions aimed at identifying and judging with the greatest rigour the perpetrators of these violations of human rights,” Biffot stated.

Harping on situation of violence in some regions of the country, the dean of the diplomatic corps reiterated the need for continuous dialogue to end the Anglophone regions that has killed over 4,000, rendered hundreds as Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, and over 80, 000 others as refugees.

“To maintain this growth, it will be necessary to ensure reinforcement, encourage the continuation of dialogue in the North West and South West regions…,” he stated.

The diplomat also harped on the need for government to consolidate the decentralization and local development processes, which lies on the full realization of the Special Status accorded the North West and South West regions.

“We are therefore emphasizing on the need for the government to follow-up the process of inclusion undertaken in order to respond to the demands of the majority of the population, in particular, concerning the decentralization of decision-making, effective use of English Language, the Common Law, the House of Chiefs in the North West and South West regions,” he added. 

Biffot said the operationalisation of all the aforementioned issues are followed up with rapt attention by the diplomatic corps that wishes speedy return to peace and development in the crisis-stricken Anglophone regions.

He said the diplomatic corps also supports the Head of State’s efforts to concretize and realize the emergence plans, social cohesion, shared prosperity and strengthened democracy under a peaceful atmosphere.

Biffot also saluted initiatives taken by the government since the start of the Anglophone crisis which permits the implementation of the recommendations of the Major National Dialogue.

The diplomatic corps also congratulated President Biya for dialogue in the fight against disinformation and the management of natural resources which has been a source of intercommunity conflicts and pledged to fully support the fight against corruption with respect for the rule of law.

Ambassador Biffot also praised Biya’s leadership in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Cameroon’s positive role played in COP27 on Climate Change, COP15 on Biodiversity, efforts on sustainable development, his handling of sub-regional issues, including stabilisation role in the crisis in the Central African Republic, CAR, and hospitality to refugees among others.  

He equally commended Cameroon’s resilient economy in the phase of global economic shocks caused by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the prospects for the year 2023, and lauded the country’s brilliant organisation of the Africa Nations Cup and participation at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Enter President Paul Biya

In his response, President Biya thanked the heads of diplomatic missions for their message, warm wishes and expressed joy on meeting them again after a two years break imposed by COVID-19 restrictions.

Biya said the effects of COVID-19 and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to have a far-reaching impact on the stability of economies, particularly those of developing countries, and tend to exacerbate global trade dysfunctions.

He reiterated that Cameroon remains committed to the peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and negotiation.

Biya reminded the diplomatic corps that over the past year, the world continues to face other equally disquieting challenges, notably terrorism and violent extremism, migration issues and climate change.

He seized the opportunity to appeal for the international community to address the root causes of conflicts in Africa and establish coherent financial mechanisms in order to boost the development of the continent.

Biya appealed to the “international community to pay greater attention to the crises and conflicts occurring on the African continent”.

The Head of State’s address was followed by handshakes and brief chats with all the diplomats.

The second phase of the ceremony to present New Year wishes to President Paul Biya held at the Banquet Hall with 35 delegations of the national constituted corps participating.

They included among others, the Presidents of the Senate and National Assembly, the First President of the Supreme Court, members of government, defence and security officials, heads of political parties, trade unionists, religious leaders and senior officials of the Presidency of the Republic.