The year just ending leaves the impression of one in which Yaounde took a choice place as a centre of decision-making

 .... for a number of running African problems either through meetings, high-level visits or other diplomatic channels aimed at achieving palpable results for the most niggling problems confronting the continent; many of which have been dragging for just too long.

Under the direct impulsion of the President of the Republic, Cameroonian diplomacy was particularly active in addressing regional and continental problems notably with the sustained and even intensified ties between Nigeria and Cameroon following the election of a new President in Nigeria; joint efforts between Chad and Cameroon in view of improving the strategy to defeat the dreaded Boko Haram sect and the reactivation of cooperation between the member states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission in a new impetus to address not only the serious security problem posed by Boko Haram, but also to share views and strategies on ways of halting the scandalous drying up of Lake Chad, an important inland waterway whose economic potential helps provide livelihood not only for millions of people, but also serves as a regulator of climate for the entire central African sub region.

The President of the Republic might not have made several trips abroad or attended many meetings, but Cameroon was generally represented at very high level with plenipotentiaries carrying the personal views of the President. What is remarkable is the consistency of his points of view whether present or not at an important decision-making event. For example, during the two-day visit of President Muhamadu Buhari to Cameroon, President Biya stated in a toast at a State House function on July 29 that Nigeria and Cameroon “must pool our resources and forces and share our experiences” in the fight against Boko Haram, while also promising Nigeria of Cameroon’s “total, constant and unfailing commitment in this just and noble struggle”.

These are obviously words of a man who endears international cooperation. In Paris during negotiations on the just-concluded Agreement on the World Climate also stood out as a defender of the African cause when he presented the disturbing situation of Lake Chad and the Congo Basin as cases needing urgent world attention. Hear him: “We must save the Congo Basin forests… We must save the second lung of the planet… Our second concern is desertification, which is affecting the neighbouring countries of Lake Chad”.