Speech at 'Africa21' International Conference

Your Excellency President Paul Biya,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,

It is a great privilege and honour for me to be present at the historic occasion which has brought us here, and to be able to represent the Commonwealth. We know that the Commonwealth is a cherished and special organisation for you, and we share your joy and pride at the golden jubilee anniversary of your independence.

This is a momentous year for Africa, in that you and sixteen other countries celebrate the 50^th independence anniversary milestone. ‘Africa21’ offers a significant and unique platform for us to celebrate the achievements and reflect on the challenges confronting the continent, and to share ideas on moving Africa forward.

Africa and the Commonwealth are joined at the hip. The largest number of member states of the organisation is from this continent, as are the new members joining in recent years. The Heads of the Commonwealth welcomed Rwanda as its newest member at the last CHOGM only a few months ago.

The Commonwealth was the staunchest partner of Africa and played a colossal role in consigning racist regimes in Southern Africa to history. All regions of this vast continent are actively engaged in the Commonwealth. Many of its distinguished leaders have offered their services in advancing the ideals of the organisation towards peace and democracy. Members of the Commonwealth from Africa have played a crucial role in the regeneration and revitalisation of high ideals and ambitions for Africa, through great initiatives such as NEPAD and the peer review mechanism which mirror many of the values and principles that animate their work in the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth is now engaged, at the direction given by its heads, to enrich its contribution, as appropriate and relevant in the rapidly transforming world within and around us in its areas of established strength of democracy, development and diversity.

The remarkable partnership between Africa and the Commonwealth has been of the past, will be strengthened in the present, and will be equally of the future as well. It is one that has endured and will enrich itself.

It is my hope that the deliberations of ‘Africa 21’ will contribute significantly to this. I fully endorse the emphasis laid by His Excellency the President of Gabon on youth. The lasting social transformation we seek will not be possible unless the potential and contribution latent among the youth and women in our societies is realised.

The Commonwealth welcomed Cameroon into its fold in 1995. Since then, it has been a deep and sustained engagement with the Government and its people, in strengthening democracy, and in supporting Cameroon to achieve its socio-economic and developmental goals.

Examples of our commitment can be seen through a broad range of ongoing economic, political and social projects.

In the field of education, the Commonwealth has worked to strengthen the University of Buea, particularly, in the areas of accounting and management. Some other initiatives include promotion of distance learning through its Commonwealth Connects programme, and scholarships through its flagship Fellowship and Scholarship Programme.

In the field of debt management, Cameroon is one of over 60 countries and territories, which have benefited from the Commonwealth’s globally recognised debt recording and management software.

A major pillar of Commonwealth support is strengthening democracy. This has been conducted through democracy advisory services and election observation.

Indeed, our sustained engagement over the years led to the passing of legislation to establish the first independent election management body in Cameroon – ELECAM – in December 2008. We will continue to explore ways to further strengthen this body. The holding of the first meeting of the Network of all Commonwealth electoral management bodies starting in Accra tomorrow, will no doubt be a great support in this.

Furthermore, the Commonwealth has been involved in the strengthening of Cameroon’s Human Rights Commission, and in focusing on ways of improving the country’s prison administration. The Commonwealth will also shortly partner with Yaoundé, to host a forum for Heads of African Public Service, to examine ways of improving public service in the delivery of government programmes.

So, over the last fifteen years, the Commonwealth has remained committed to the progress and prosperity of Cameroon and Cameroon has been a committed and valued partner to the Commonwealth. Mr President, you emphasised the importance of good governance in your address. The Commonwealth is ready to be the trusted partner of Cameroon in any area of our capability that Cameroon would choose.

The values of democracy, freedom, peace, the rule of law, human rights, sustainable development and opportunity for all – which were affirmed by Commonwealth leaders at their November 2009 meeting in Trinidad & Tobago in serving the citizens of the Commonwealth – will remain the compass for the Commonwealth’s engagement with Cameroon in the years ahead.

The Commonwealth takes the opportunity to offer warm congratulations to the people of Cameroon, on reaching this historic milestone, and to reaffirm its partnership in the journey ahead.