External Relations Minister, Henri Eyebe Ayissi made the pronouncement during celebrations of the 66th United Nations Day in Yaounde on monday, October 24.

Cameroon’s Minister of External Relations, Henri Eyebe Ayissi, used the celebration of the 66th United Nations Day in Yaounde, yesterday, October 24, 2011 to underscore the post October 9, 2011 presidential election context in Cameroon and thank the different government partners for their support and interest in the election. The ceremony at the Ministry of External Relations, was in the presence of some cabinet ministers, notably the Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Amadou Ali, some members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the various UN agencies in Cameroon and other officials.

In the message, the External Relations boss stated that since January 1, 1960, Cameroon that was hitherto a trust territory of the UN, became an independent and sovereign State and a full member of the UN just like others. He said the presidential election process has just ended with incumbent President Paul Biya winning an incontestable victory and what remains is the swearing-in ceremony.

After the proclamation of the election results by the Supreme Court acting as the Constitutional Council, the election is not subject to any external certification. Mr. Eyebe Ayissi said the choice of Cameroonians in relation to the election and their option for peace and stability must be respected. Government, he stated, takes note of the different opinions and positions relating to the election which are worthy of interest and respect. With the end of the electoral process, the Minister said, Cameroonians and other people residing in the country should go about their normal activities with the assurance that the country has a strong government that is prepared to take its responsibilities. The international community, he said, should mobilize efforts towards the accomplishment of win-win cooperation programmes.

Concerning the celebration of the UN Day on the theme, “United Nations in everyone’s interest: Celebrating cultural diversity,” Henri Eyebe Ayissi lauded Cameroon-UN cooperation. He said the socio-cultural diversity of Cameroon was a pride to the government and the authorities were working to preserve it and wished that Cameroon-UN cooperation continues to grow from strength to strength.

The Interim Resident Coordinator of the UN System in Cameroon, Michel Balima, read out UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon’s message on the occasion. “Around the world, too many people live in fear,” the message read. “In these turbulent times, there is only one answer: unity of purpose,” the UN Secretary General said.