The British High Commissioner, Bharat Joshi, made the announcement in Yaounde on June 7. 

Cabinet ministers, diplomats and other local and international dignitaries on Friday, June 7, 2013 in Yaounde, joined the British community in Cameroon to celebrate the 87^th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Although Queen Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926, her official birthday is celebrated each June as the United Kingdom’s National Day. 

Speaking in both English and French at the event, the British High Commissioner to Cameroon, His Excellency Bharat Joshi, announced the resumption of Guinness Cameroon’s sponsorship of the annual Mount Cameroon Race of Hope after over 10 years of break. Recalling his four years spent in the country, the High Commissioner, who is about to end his tour of duty, said Cameroon is beginning to realise its potential and he was privileged to witness it.

Africa, he added, was in the process of transiting from what was hitherto considered as a continent of crisis to a continent of opportunities. Joshi acknowledged that he was leaving Cameroon a much better diplomat, thanks to the efforts of fellow diplomats and government officials. He paid tribute to British businesses for contributing to Cameroon’s development especially in the areas of petroleum and gas exploration, brewing, security protection, mining, banking and cigarette production.

Bharat Joshi also listed a number of the High Commission’s activities this year, including the newly energised Business Coalition Against Corruption that works in partnership with the Business Council of Africa, support to women and girls in the fight against sexual violence, award of scholarships and sponsorship of the Investigative Journalism Award in partnership with the US Embassy and the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association.

The British National Day was attended among others by the Vice Prime Minister, Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Relations with the Assemblies, Ahmadou Ali and the Minister Delegate in the Ministry of External Relations in charge of Relations with the Commonwealth, Dion Ngute.