Diplomacy: Diversifying Partners

U nder the mandate of President Paul Biya, Cameroon has di­ versified its partners in bila­ teral relations and is having a greater presence on the international scene. As the New Deal celebrates its 44th anniversary, worth noting are some diplomatic achievements as the country has expanded its ambassadorial network through the establishment of resident diplomatic and consular posts. Cameroonians have also been elected to strategic positions in international organisations. In fact, today, Cameroon counts 37 resident diplomatic missions, 70 non-resident missions, and nine ac­ tive consular posts across five conti­ nents. The country has greatly expanded its bilateral relations with many countries through the establishment of this resi­ dent posts. In Africa for example, some newly-created diplomatic missions in­ clude that in Rabat (Morocco), Tunis (Tunisia), Abuja (Nigeria), Pretoria (South Africa), and Consulates General in Ouesso (Republic of Congo), Lagos (Nigeria), Bamako (Mali) Mongomo (Equatorial Gui­ nea), and Bouar (Central African Repu­ blic), just to name a few. In Europe, new Embassies have been opened in Berlin (Germany as it was moved from Bonn),The Hague, Vatican City, Geneva and the reopening of the Embassy in Berne (Switzerland). Within the Asian continent, diplomatic and consular posts have been opened in In­ dia, Türkiye, Dubai, Seoul, and Kuwait City. Globally, Cameroon has moved from its traditional partners such as France, Britain, China and the United States to more diversified ones in contemporary diplomacy. At the international scene, Cameroon has actively participated in high-level meetings with nations also occupying strategic positions in intercontinental organisations. History will also have it that a Cameroonian, Philemon Yang, former Prime Minister and current Grand Chancellor of National Orders, was the President of the 79th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. It was during his mandate that The Pact for the Future (a blueprint docu­ ment that outlines 56 core actions to revitalize multilateralism and reform global governance in the 21st century) was adopted by all 193 members of in­ ternational organisation during the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024. Ju...