Our country resolutely embarked on a new phase of its grand project to
accelerate growth and create jobs and wealth. As the months rolled by,
circumstances put this positive momentum to the test. Similarly, some
social and political unrest occasionally seemed to undermine the very
foundations of our togetherness; but, ultimately, we were able to hold
our ground.
The year 2016 which is drawing to an end was marked by many events of
great significance for our nation. This year we got off to a good start.
Donors, including the International Monetary Fund, hailed the
resilience of our economy despite an unfavourable context. Our defence
and security forces beat back Boko Haram and put it on the defensive.
Therefore, I would like, first and foremost, to
solemnly state tonight that, more than ever before, Cameroon is standing
on its feet. A country that is ONE and INDIVISIBLE, proud of its
cultural diversity and jealous of its freedom. A country that is replete
with talented and enterprising people. A country that is endowed with
abundant resources. A country that is looking to the future with
confidence and determination, resolved to meet the challenges of
ensuring social progress and prosperity for all.
As the year
2016 draws to a close, I must recall the unprecedented bereavement our
country suffered during the Eseka railway disaster. It was a time of
profound grief for the entire nation. Our people demonstrated solidarity
during that tragedy.
The probe I have ordered will reveal the truth. I will draw the conclusions thereon, as promised.
My dear compatriots,
I would now like to dwell on the events that have unfolded recently in
the North-West and South-West Regions. Physically and emotionally, we
are deeply concerned about these events.
Due to the acts of a
group of manipulated and exploited extremist rioters, Cameroonians have
lost their lives; public and private buildings have been destroyed; the
most sacred symbols of our nation have been desecrated; economic
activities have been paralyzed momentarily.
You would agree with me that all of this is UNACCEPTABLE.
Our country does enjoy political and trade union freedoms which are guaranteed and governed by our laws and regulations.
Against this backdrop, every citizen can rightfully opine on any aspect
of national life, including through duly declared peaceful strike
action.
This is a fundamental civil right as desired by the
Cameroonian people given that it is enshrined in the Constitution. This
right is inalienable in the model of democracy which I proposed to the
Cameroonian people and which, TOGETHER, we have been building daily,
patiently and resolutely.
It is unbecoming of some people to use
this context of freedom to commit acts of violence and try to undermine
our country’s unity. Under such circumstances, it is the State’s
bounden duty to restore order, in the name of the law and in the
interest of all. To act otherwise is to jeopardize our democracy and
allow anarchy to prevail over the rule of law.
I strongly
condemn all acts of violence, regardless of their sources and their
perpetrators. We will fully draw conclusions from the various inquiries
being conducted on the matter.
Let me make this very clear: it
is not forbidden to voice any concerns in the Republic. However, nothing
great can be achieved by using verbal excesses, street violence, and
defying authority. Lasting solutions to problems can be found only
through peaceful dialogue.
All the voices that spoke have been
heard. They have, in many cases, raised substantive issues that cannot
be overlooked. I have enjoined the Government to engage in frank
dialogue with the various parties concerned to find appropriate
solutions to the issues raised. I urge them to participate, without any
bias, in the various discussions.
However, we should never
forget that we are walking in the footsteps of our country’s founding
fathers, our national heroes, who shed their blood to bequeath to
posterity a nation that is united in its diversity. Cameroon’s unity is
therefore a precious legacy with which no one should take liberties. Any
claim, no matter how relevant, loses its legitimacy once it
jeopardizes, even slightly, the building of national unity.
All
Cameroonians, without exception, have embarked on building a united,
inclusive and bilingual nation. This is a unique experience in Africa.
Like any human endeavour, our experience is not perfect. There are
aspects that can be improved. We should therefore listen to each other.
We should remain open to constructive ideas, to the exclusion, however,
of those that would affect the form of our State.
Besides the
bodies that I instructed the Government to set up and which are already
at work, we are ready to go an extra mile. We are willing to move in the
footsteps and spirit of the architects of Reunification, and put in
place a national entity which will be tasked with proposing solutions
aimed at maintaining peace, consolidating our country’s unity and
strengthening our resolve, and our day-to-day experiences of LIVING
TOGETHER. And this should be done in strict compliance with our
Constitution and our Institutions.
Do I need to repeat this? CAMEROON IS ONE AND INDIVISIBLE! It shall so remain.
Its wealth and strength are derived from the diversity of its people,
its cultures and its languages. Such is the pluralism that has earned
our country the esteem, respect and admiration it enjoys.
Cameroon is a democratic country, a State governed by the rule of law.
Its problems should be resolved within the ambit of the law and through
dialogue.
Our compatriots want to live in peace and harmony. They should not be disturbed!
That is also why our country is engaged in the war against Boko Haram.
In this regard, I can safely say that in 2016, this terrorist group was
driven to the wall. There seems to be hope that this shady terrorist
group may not recover from the setbacks it has suffered. However, there
is a need to remain vigilant; the possibility of isolated suicide
attacks, like that of 25 December last, cannot be ruled out.
Credit for this positive development goes to our national defence and
security forces, the Joint Multinational Task Force and cooperation with
the Nigerian authorities. We should also commend the support given us
by our international partners to whom I extend my thanks.
Also, I
should mention the key role of vigilante committees which, thanks to
their courage and devotedness, were, on many occasions, able to foil
planned attacks. I must once again commend the Cameroonian people for
their steadfast patriotism during these difficult times.
Yes, ordeals help forge national unity.
We must now ramp up internal security, reconstruct, organize the return
of displaced persons, and revive the local economy. In short, bring
back life and tranquillity to the affected areas. To that end, the State
will do its utmost, while counting on the dynamism of the people and
support from development partners.
Despite the burden of security spending, the Government has not relented in its effort to promote our economic growth.
Many of our major first-generation projects such as the Kribi Port, the
Lom Pangar Dam and the Memve’ele and Mekin power plants are virtually
operational or about to be commissioned. To bridge the energy gap and
end load shedding, other major projects such as the Bini à Warak,
Menchum, Song Dong and Nachtigal power plants will supplement this
programme. Our power transmission and management problems will be
resolved with the establishment of the National Electricity Transmission
Corporation.
The development of our road network is also
progressing. An extensive road construction or rehabilitation programme
is ongoing nationwide. I will mention only the most notable of them,
such as the Yaounde-Douala and Nsimalen-Yaounde motorways where work is
going on normally, but also the east or west entryways to Douala and the
second bridge over the Wouri.
In the longer term, there are
plans to create an inter-regional road and rail network to ease access
to our mineral deposits and stimulate trade with neighbouring countries.
Cameroon lies at the crossroads of two major economic blocks, namely
West and Central Africa.
Why therefore should it not seek to
become the hub it is geographically predisposed to be? The main
objective of boosting our energy capacity and extending our road network
is to create the best conditions for our country’s industrialization.
This is our major challenge for the coming decades. It will also confirm
the positive employment trends observed in recent years. For instance,
as at October 2016, 320 000 new jobs were recorded, representing an
increase of nearly 20% compared with the previous financial year.
Given the overall gloomy economic situation, this performance is
commendable. However, we should do better. To that end, we must improve
the management of all the economies of our sub-region.
That is
why I deemed it necessary to convene a meeting of all CEMAC Heads of
State in Yaounde recently. This meeting enabled us to take measures to
revive growth in our zone, while accelerating the integration of our
economies and the free movement of goods and people. Cameroon will
fulfil its duty to that end.
In keeping with our ambition of
achieving emergence by 2035, we are relentlessly working to increase our
agricultural production, ensure the industrial processing of our raw
materials and expand the digital economy.
The 2017 State budget truly reflects this resolve to increase momentum on these highly strategic sectors.
My dear compatriots,
There are many ongoing projects designed to promote social progress and
prosperity in our country. Our assets are known to all. However, we are
still having difficulty unlocking our potential.
It was in a
bid to reflect on such difficulty that in May 2016, I initiated the
International Economic Conference on the theme “Investing in Cameroon:
Land of Opportunities”.
Besides important business meetings held
during the conference, this unique initiative which was hailed by our
development partners, enabled us to share extremely valuable experiences
on the path to economic emergence. In this interconnected world, we
sought, in all simplicity, to get others’ views on our capacity to
access the global economy.
The harvest has been bountiful in
terms of the principles of the actions adopted to improve the business
climate in Cameroon. This will be reflected in our institutions in the
near future.
I have already expressed my view on this issue on
many occasions: our progress is constrained by various forms of
resistance or inertia.
We should remove such obstacles and
create a sound and attractive business environment that accelerates
progress in our country by aligning with the appropriate global
dynamics. Responsibility here lies with the government. I will see to it
resolutely.
Though I believe that the State should play the
role of regulator and facilitator, and even investor in some specific
domains, I also believe that the private sector should invest wherever
there are opportunities.
At a time when diversification is a
veritable lifeline for CEMAC economies, our investors should, for
instance, take advantage of the opportunities offered by regional
integration or various economic partnership agreements to which Cameroon
is a signatory. I am therefore appealing to the creators of our wealth
to fully play their role in stimulating our economic growth in
everyone’s interest.
The Cameroonian people who are beginning to
reap the benefits of the sacrifices made over the years do not wish to
return to austerity. I see with them.
This requires us all to put our hands on deck in perfect patriotic fervour, like our heroic Indomitable Lionesses.
For many years they gave their all without seeking vain and early
glories; they demonstrated hard work, resolve, talent, and bravery; they
won hearts through the quality of their performance in the game; they
appealed through their moral quality and the ethics of the game which
earned them the fair play trophy; they reflected Cameroon’s great
diversity as they defended the national colours; and though they did not
win the coveted trophy of the 2016 women AFCON, they brought joy and
pride to an entire nation. Such an excellent demonstration of patriotic
fervour is an appeal to everyone, each in his or her specific sphere, to
defend Cameroon’s future everywhere, in an exemplary manner.
My dear compatriots,
Before concluding, I would like to invite you to spare a thought for
our soldiers and civilians who fell while defending our fatherland in
2016, as well as for the victims of the recent Eseka railway disaster.
I would now like to express the wish, for our nation, that the year
2017 would abound with the fruits of peace and harmony, progress and
economic prosperity for everyone.
Happy and Prosperous New Year 2017!
Long live Cameroon!
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
Ni John Fru Ndi, Chairman of the Social Democratic Front-SDF( leading opposition party) in Cameroon has
said that in his New Year Message, President Biya proposed no solution to the
problems of the English-speaking part of the country. "I do not expect
anything from this speech. He did not say anything about the young people who
were killed ... He did not say anything about the return of Anglophone students
to school. Whether Anglophone students go back to school or not, it does not
matter, whether schools reopen or not, it's not his problem ... " Fru Ndi
also wondered whether Biya could not say sorry to the lawyers, Teachers and
English-speaking students who, in his opinion, only defended their rights to freely express themselves.
