Diplomats and national dignitaries offered New Year wishes to President Paul Biya on Thursday.

The Head of State has recalled government’s determination to move the democratisation process in Cameroon forward. Speaking to the diplomatic corps accredited to Cameroon yesterday 9 January 2014 at the Unity Palace during the presentation of New Wishes , President Paul Biya said the year 2013 in Cameroon was marked by successful organisation of Senate, Parliamentary and Municipal Council elections.
While also pointing to key events that occurred across the globe last year, the Head of State noted the positive approval rating that national and international observers gave to the country’s democratisation efforts. He acknowledged that any shortfalls were both the result of inexperience or human error and not a manifest will by government to tamper with the process. He insisted that in the drive to develop Cameroon through the execution of ongoing mega projects, Cameroon counts on national efforts as well as support from partner organisations and institutions. It was therefore important, Mr Biya stated, that efforts being made in the country’s democratisation process should meet international standards.
President Biya’s assertion was corroborated by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Chadian Ambassador, Yoossem-Kontou Noudjiamlao, who showered praises on the Head of State for the good conduct of national and international affairs in 2013. Concerning the socio-political life of Cameroon, the Dean noted with satisfaction that elections results were well received in Cameroon and abroad. He appreciated the putting in place of the Special Criminal Court as clear sign of President Biya’s resolve to combat corruption and expressed the wish by the diplomatic community to see its deliberations produce speedy results.
Ambassador Yoossem-Kontou also spoke with delight about the happy end to hostages taken in Northern Cameroon last year, saying the tact and efficient management of the situation by the President led to their release. The diplomat also lauded the contribution of Cameroon to the sectarian violence in the Central African Republic where African Union-led forces, MISCA, supported by the French Army, is having hard time bringing the situation under control. On the issue, President Paul Biya clearly stated his position in support of intervention by the United Nations, saying MISCA should be transformed into a UN peacekeeping force.
The speech-making session which ended the first phase of the Unity Palace event with diplomats was attentively followed by close collaborators of the Head of State, namely; the Minister of External Relations, Pierre Moukoko Mbonjo, the Minister, Secretary General at the Presidency, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh and the Minister, Director of the Civil Cabinet at the Presidency, Martin Belinga Eboutou. It was followed by a handshake with each of the over 50 members of the diplomatic corps.
A similar expression of wishes of Happy New Year to the Head of State as from 1:15 pm was by hundreds of national dignitaries in the Banquet Hall of the Presidency. For the first time in Cameroon, the Senate Bureau led by its President, Marcel Niat Njifenji wished Happy New Year to the Head of State. This was followed by the National Assembly, the government bench, the Economic and Social Council, the Supreme Court, among other segments likes business persons, political party leaders, and religious leaders, filed past the Head of State to tell him, “Happy New Year Mister President!”