Diplomacy : Enhancing Cameroon’s International Presence

Within the framework of commemorative activities marking the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC), and to foster Cameroon’s diplomatic presence, an international symposium on the theme, “IRIC: 50 years at the service of diplomacy and development in Africa,” has been organised. The Inspector General in charge of Patrimony at the Ministry of External Relations, John Billy Eko, on behalf of the Minister, presided at the opening of the international conference on June 29, 2022. 
In his opening speech, the Inspector General noted that IRIC which was created as a diplomatic and visionary institution to intensify Cameroon’s foreign policy, has over the years become an institution of reference in the country and on the continent. The international symposium, he noted, thus looks into road covered by IRIC, analyses the present as well as prospects for the future, given the evolution of diplomacy. 
To the Director of IRIC, Charles Urbain Ndongo, the contemporary complexities of international relations present various stakes on IRIC, thus warranting the institution to continue in its efforts of adapting to modernisation. 
An inaugural conference was moderated by Prof. Alain Didier Olinga, Head of Department of International Law at IRIC which featured several presentations on diplomacy. The presentation of Prof. Jean Emmanuel Pondi, former Director of IRIC and an expert in international relations, bordered on the institution and Cameroon’s diplomatic presence in Africa. He focused on Cameroon and IRIC becoming actors in affairs on the continent, and not only as spectators. Cameroon, Prof. Pondi noted, has produced diplomats who have occupied top ranki...