State House New Year Wishes : Another Moment Of National, Diplomatic Solidarity

Tradition was respected at the State House Friday January 10, 2025 as members of the diplomatic corps and national dignitaries gathered in their numbers to wish the head of Cameroon’s diplomacy and President of the Republic, Paul Biya, well in the New Year. Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Chargés d’Affaires and heads of international organisations accredited to Cameroon likewise those who hold positions of dignity and honour at the national level massively answered present at the State house and took turns to share best moments and wishes with the leader of a one and indivisible Cameroon, Paul Biya.
The Ambassador’s Hall that hosted members of the diplomatic corps earlier and later the Banquet Hall of the Presidency of the Republic; for national dignitaries; had all it needed to make the New Year Wishes ceremonies more than grandiose. The décor and deployment of the State Protocol gave the State House the unity the palace is known for.  
True to the time-conscious nature of the host, the guests respected the timing of their arrivals and the warmth that New Year Wishes ceremonies at the Presidency herald lived up to its billing. In fact, Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Chargés d’Affaires and representatives of international organisations wholly respected the official time of arrival from 1:45 pm. At 2:25pm when the arrivals were programmed to end, the diplomats were already seated at the ceremonial hall according to the orientations of the fully-drawn State Protocol. At 3 pm, the host made his near triumphal entry to the hall to a standing ovation from the already seated members of the diplomatic corps. It was the start of 50 minutes of diplomatic exchanges, through speeches and handshakes, in which the diplomats expressed their views on goings-on in and around the country and during which President Paul Biya examined global trials, stating the position of Cameroon on some of the issues of common concerns. 
The novelty this year was the spokesperson for the diplomats. On the behalf of the Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Chargés d’Affaires and heads of diplomatic organisations accredited to Cameroon, the new Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Mostafa Bouh, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Cameroon, saluted Cameroon’s vibrant diplomacy under President Biya. From placing Cameroonians in strategic positions in international organisations who are making the country and entire world proud to hosting international organisations and conferences, Cameroon, the Dean said, is an epitome of hospitality. He saluted the recent decision by CAF to confer on Mr Biya an Excellence Award for his remarkable input to the growth of football in and out of the country. While praying the Almighty God to continue fortifying Cameroon and its Head of State, H.E. Mostafa Bouh, on behalf of his peers, pledged to stand by the country in realising its development dreams.
On his part, President Paul Biya decried protectionism which is increasingly surging at a time the world, he underlined, needed to, more than ever, show proof of solidarity in containing common challenges. President Paul Biya particularly thanked the diplomats and their countries for supporting Cameroon’s candidacy for the post of President of the 79th General Assembly of the United Nations. While emphasizing his country’s firm position for a peaceful, just, prosperous and inclusive international community, President Paul Biya once again advocated for hei...