New Zealand solicits Cameroon support for seat

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key on May 19, 2014 dispatched a special envoy to solicit Cameroon’s support for New Zealand’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for a two-year- term that will run from 2015 to 2016.

Cameroon’s Prime Minister, Head of Government, Philemon Yang received the special envoy from New Zealand, Rt. Hon. Don McKinnon on behalf of President Paul Biya at the Star Building in Yaounde on May 19.

Don McKinnon, the former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, told reporters after the Star Building audience that the election of the non-permanent member of the UN Security Council will take place later this year. He argued, “We believe that small countries like New Zealand should endeavour to make themselves available to sit in the UN Security Council not to be dominated all the time by bigger countries.” New Zealand, he disclosed, has over four million inhabitants and occupied the post of non-permanent member of the Security Council 20 years ago from 1993 to 1994

The special envoy from New Zealand said that he had good discussions with Prime Minister Yang and hoped that Cameroon will support his country’s candidacy. The two officials also used the audience to discuss the conflict situation in the Central African Republic and its impact on Cameroon.

Don McKinnon said they equally discussed the, “very difficult issues posed by Boko Haram and the enormous difficulties they are placing on the region. It was a good catch up to see the role Cameroon is playing, working with neighbouring Nigeria and the international community to help solve the problems.

” Concerning bilateral relations equally discussed, the special envoy said New Zealand was offering training programmes for Cameroon diplomats. He said his country had expertise in the areas of agriculture and renewable energy and was ready to share the knowledge and skills with Cameroon.