President Biya salutes courage of freed hostages

The Head of State His Excellency Paul Biya received the group of ten Chinese and seventeen Cameroonians who were recently released after being taken hostage from Waza and Kolofata by terrorist insurgents.

During the brief but touching ceremony at Unity Palace on Monday 13th October 2014, President Paul Biya vowed to fight against the terrorist group Boko Haram until it is totally eradicated.

The freed hostages, amongst whom was the wife of the Vice Prime Minister in charge of Relations with the Assemblies, Amadou Ali and the Lamido - Mayor of Kolofata, were received at the State House at midday.

The Head of State greeted the freed Chinese workers captured near Waza in May 2014 before handing them over to the Chinese Ambassador to Cameroon, Wo Ruidi who led the delegation to the Unity Palace.

President Biya later encouraged the 17 Cameroonians who were accompanied by the Vice Prime Minister Amadou Ali whose wife was amongst the victims.

The President of the Republic then made his remarks on the occasion, thanking the hostages for their patience and confidence while they were in captivity.

He lauded China – Cameroon cooperation and assured the Chinese partners that the government of Cameroon will continue the fight so as to guarantee the peace and stability of the country.

The Chinese Ambassador to Cameroon took the floor to thank the Presidents of China and Cameroon for their tireless efforts which have ended with the liberation of the hostages.

The Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh who accompanied the ex-hostages from Maroua to Yaounde and the Assistant Director of the Civil Cabinet, Joseph LE, were also present at the ceremony.