A month of diplomatic triumph

The Civil Cabinet’s bilingual monthly publication, ‘Le Temps des Réalisations,’ for August 2014, is out. August 2014 in Cameroon was marked by three important events – the participation of President Paul Biya and First Lady, Chantal Biya at the first-ever US-Africa Leaders’ Summit in Washington DC and the Head of State’s declaration on government’s determination to surmount Boko Haram attacks on the country. The other was the presidential couple’s participation at the 70th anniversary of the Allied landing in France.

Fallout Of Trip In his editorial, the publisher of ‘Le Temps des Réalisations,’ Martin Belinga Eboutou, who is also Minister, Director of the Civil Cabinet at the Presidency, says, “Only time will tell, the time around which history unfolds.

Yes, time … Who would have thought twenty years back that the countries considered the most technologically advanced would one day bother to look at Africa as anything other than the Land of Misery?”

As a fallout of the presidential outing, US President, Barack Obama, announced the offer of 33 billion US Dollars to boost trade and investments in Africa in the coming years.

First Lady’s Meetings First Lady, Chantal Biya, who is also UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, was equally busy during the trip to Washington. She took part in a symposium for First Ladies held on the sidelines of the summit and hosted by Mrs. Michelle Obama and former American First Lady, Laura Bush.

The forum focused on investing in social sectors like health and education, thereby providing the opportunity for Mrs. Chantal Biya to showcase her humanitarian activities.

Boko Haram, A Winnable War Before departing for the US on August 2, 2014, President Biya spoke to the press at the Yaounde-Nsimalen International Airport on Boko Haram attacks on the country. “To all Cameroonians, I say this.

There are difficult times in the life of every nation. This is time to demonstrate courage, solidarity and patriotism. Concerning the case in point, I recall that Cameroon has overcome similar challenges …. Boko Haram will not be an exception. We are continuing the fight and will win.”

Allied Landing Participation Soon after returning from America, President Biya and wife, Chantal, were off to Toulon, France to take part on August 15, 2014, in the 70th anniversary of the Allied landing in Provence to free France from Nazi occupation during World War II.

Alongside other African leaders, the Head of State’s participation was also a testimony to the memory of Cameroonian soldiers who died fighting to liberate their former colonial master. The President took advantage of the trip to discuss African insecurity challenges, especially Boko Haram, with French Defence Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian.