Cameroon-Commonwealth Relation; Standing By The Flag Of Peace

President Paul Biya and wife Chantal Biya yesterday, Dec. 19 offered an official lunch in honour of visiting C'wealth SG, Patricia Scotland.

Two events of serious diplomatic magnitude organised at the State House, marked the second day of the official visit to Cameroon by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland.

Even though nothing really filtered out of the one-hour audience between the Head of State and the august visitor that preceded the official lunch offered by President Biya and wife, Chantal Biya, there was every evidence that the two dignitaries during the audience made a review of the relations between the Commonwealth and Cameroon since the latter joined the organisation in 1995.

This couldn't have been otherwise as translated by the declaration of Scotland in her speech during the lunch. "Cameroon is an important and precious member of the Commonwealth", she said, while at the same time appreciating the active participation of Cameroon in several conferences and other events organised by the Commonwealth.

The diplomatic significance of yesterday's ceremony which started at 12 noon with the audience and ended three hours later after an almost two-hour lunch was very much in the convergence of views between Patricia Scotland Q.C. and President Biya. The two dignitaries irked at the unfortunate unrest that has for one year in continuum, rocked the South West and North West Regions of Cameroon.

The two agreed that Cameroon has for long been a haven of peace but regretted that this peaceful existence is being thwarted, beginning with the Boko Haram insurgency and followed by the Anglophone crisis.

That notwithstanding, there was a sign that the two personalities are all determined to bring back peace in the country and to do this, President Biya in his speech said, as guarantor of the constitution and of national unity, it is his duty to restore order and bring to book those guilty of the various assassinations of members of the forces of law and order.

The President was particularly appreciative of the contribution the Commonwealth has made to Cameroon in various sectors. He pointed out the democratic milestone covered by Cameroon since the country joined the Commonwealth and underscored the exceptional advantage in enhancing bilingualism and multiculturalism,

" I have always thought that bilingualism and multiculturalism form our country’s special strengths, through which we are able to access two great cultures, and dialogue with multiple countries in their languages, especially in Africa", he said.

President Biya recalled ...