By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
President Paul Biya of Cameroon has stressed the imperative of dialogue, peaceful conflict resolution, and international solidarity in addressing global challenges. Paul Biya made the called on January 10 in Yaounde addressing the diplomatic corps during the presentation of New Year wishes.
“Let us mobilize the entire international community towards a fair, transparent, and inclusive multilateral system,” Biya urged, highlighting that cooperation is essential in navigating the complexities facing the world today.
The President underscored the importance of collective action, stating, “To ensure our survival, we must identify our priorities, equip ourselves to achieve them, and unite our efforts.”
Reflecting on the tumultuous 2024 year, Biya expressed concern over the ongoing conflicts and tensions in regions such as Ukraine, Sudan, Lebanon, Gaza, and Haiti. He warned that terrorism remains a persistent threat and that the ominous shadow of nuclear war looms over humanity’s future. “The specter of nuclear war threatens catastrophic consequences,” he cautioned.
Biya conveyed his belief that the international community holds the key to overcoming divisions. “Our common organization can guide us away from selfishness and antagonism, refocusing our efforts on survival,” he asserted.
He painted a stark picture of the current global landscape, questioning how humanity has reached such a precarious state filled with hunger, violence, and displacement. “How did we arrive at this point? How could we descend into such turmoil despite existing frameworks for dialogue?” he asked.
However, the President attributed these challenges to persistent national egoism, the rise of unilateralism, and a failure to uphold international norms. “Is this situation inevitable? I refuse to accept that notion,” Biya stated, urging for renewed commitment to global cooperation and understanding.
Earlier in the event, H.E. Mostafa Bouh, Ambassador of Morocco and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, commended Cameroon for its hospitality and efforts in promoting multilateralism.
He also celebrated the recent inclusion of the Ngondo Festival of the Sawa people on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list and congratulated President Biya on receiving the Confederation of African Football’s Excellence Award for his significant contributions to the sport on the continent.
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