I should like
at the outset to welcome the fact that Nicaragua,
represented by Mr. Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, is
presiding over the General Assembly at its sixty-third
session. Cameroon wishes him every success in
carrying out his mission and assures him of its full
cooperation. I wish also to pay a well-deserved tribute
to Ambassador Kerim for the skill with which he led
the work of the Assembly at its sixty-second session.
Finally, I congratulate His Excellency Secretary-
General Ban Ki-moon, and reiterate our appreciation
and support for his remarkable efforts in discharging
his lofty mission.
By proposing the impact of the global food crisis
on poverty and hunger in the world and the need to
democratize the United Nations as main themes of the
general debate at the sixty-third session, the President
focused our deliberations on core problems currently
faced by the international community. I support this
proposal all the more because Cameroon, like other
countries throughout the world, has recently
experienced social upheaval caused by the increasingly
high cost of living.
As a result, we decided on and implemented a
series of corrective measures, ranging from a reduction
of taxes and customs duties on certain basic
commodities to an increase in the salaries of State
employees and measures to stabilize fuel prices. Those
measures were lauded by the International Monetary
Fund and undoubtedly had very positive effects. They
did not, however, totally eliminate a problem of global
proportions and one which requires global responses.
The food crisis, which is one manifestation, has taken
on alarming proportions throughout the world. All
economies, irrespective of size, but particularly those
of poor countries, are seriously affected. The most
vulnerable populations are forced to forego health care
and education just to feed themselves.
If appropriate responses are not found rapidly,
there will be reason to fear dramatic repercussions on
international trade, economic growth, social progress,
political stability and, hence, global security. There is
therefore an urgent necessity to act rapidly and
collectively. We believe an appropriate response to the
situation lies in ensuring coordination at the highest
level. That is why I welcome the fact that the
Secretary-General took the initiative to establish the
High-Level Task Force on the Global Food Security
Crisis, whose aim is to promote a coherent and unified
08-51851 14
response to the crisis. Cameroon shares the vision
contained in the Comprehensive Framework for Action
prepared by the Task Force.
We are of the view that a lasting solution to the
crisis requires short- and medium-term actions,
including increased food aid and investment in
agriculture, the promotion of social welfare initiatives,
reduction of agricultural subsidies in developed
countries and restrictions on food exports from
countries of the South. It is obvious that such solutions
cannot be implemented without the participation of all
and without the establishment of global food and
agriculture partnerships involving all stakeholders,
namely Governments, the private sector, civil society,
donors and international institutions.
At a time when the midterm assessment of the
achievement of the Millennium Development Goals is
under way, the global food crisis appears as one of the
major challenges the international community will
have to face. In that regard, Cameroon wishes to join
its voice to that of the Secretary-General in appealing
for financing of the measures recommended by the
Task Force. But, however acute the food crisis may be,
it is far from being the only snag in the implementation
of the Millennium Development Goals.
Concerning Africa in particular, there are many
other challenges, such as persistent poverty, peace and
security issues and the effects of climate change.
Concerning poverty alleviation, our continent placed
much hope in globalization which it supported in good
faith, despite legitimate fears concerning the
globalization of trade. It should be acknowledged that,
on the whole, these hopes were dashed.
Beyond the global food crisis, it is obvious that
Africa has felt the negative effects of the international
financial crisis and the exponential oil price hikes:
phenomena well beyond its control. In addition, it
helplessly watched the erosion of official development
assistance and the failure of the Doha Round
negotiations, where its interests were relegated to the
background. This role of powerless onlooker can only
lead to deep frustration and cast doubts on the chances
of achieving the Millennium Development Goals
within the set time frames.
Nevertheless, Africa wants to believe that the
international community will not give up assisting it to
emerge from poverty and underdevelopment. For that
reason, we fully appreciate the initiative of the
United Nations to organize high-level meetings
devoted to the development of our continent, on the
sidelines of this session. On the economic front,
Africa’s immense potential remains largely untapped,
and, although many African countries have been
recording good economic performance, the continent
remains the poorest on the planet. Hence the need for
increased solidarity of the international community.
The growing impact of climate change, especially
in Africa, is particularly disturbing; more than
elsewhere, it affects areas on which the fate of future
generations depends. There is thus an urgent need for
joint action by the international community.
Such solidarity should also prevail when
addressing the issue of migrants. The tragedies they
experience are, to put it bluntly, inhuman. The
atrocities and acts of discrimination they endure on a
daily basis are intolerable. There is urgent need to
jointly seek solutions to manage this exodus which
drains Africa of the human resources it greatly needs.
There is no gainsaying that the economic development
of the continent is the one and only solution to that
painful problem.
As regards peace and security, perhaps more than
in any other area, Africa needs the active solidarity of
the international community. There is reason to be
satisfied with the progress made in several countries
that were hitherto plagued by deadly confrontations,
though it should be acknowledged that many hotbeds
of tension and conflict still exist on the continent.
Here, the peace agreements signed after lengthy
negotiations are yet to enter fully into force. There,
force is used to jeopardize democratic achievements.
Continuing confrontations in Somalia, the chronic
instability along the borders of Chad, the Central
African Republic and the Sudan, the daily tragedy
faced by the population of Darfur and the recurrent
eruption of violence in the east of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo and in Burundi are all cause for
serious concern.
Unfortunately, nor is our continent spared the
threat of terrorism, which now has a global dimension.
I am convinced that only global and resolute action
will help address that issue. Cameroon will contribute
its support as necessary.
The international community, and in particular
the United Nations, are making commendable efforts to
15 08-51851
promote peace in Africa. That is why the Organization
must receive from all its Members the resources that it
needs to ensure the effectiveness of its action. To that
end, it should constantly express the common will and
continue to be the crucible of the democratization of
international relations.
The historic achievement recorded in the
settlement of the dispute over the Bakassi peninsula is
one of the best examples of the remarkable results that
can be generated by an authentic desire for peace
shared by the parties, with the judicious support of the
international community.
The ceremony in Calabar on 14 August 2008,
which marked the withdrawal of the Nigerian
administration and police force from Bakassi and the
transfer of authority to Cameroon, was undoubtedly the
result of the commitment to peace shown by the
leaders and peoples of both countries. In that regard, I
wish to express my profound gratitude to friendly
countries for the support they have continued to give to
the implementation of the ruling of the International
Court of Justice and to the Greentree Agreement. I
wish to thank in particular the States witness to the
Agreement, namely, the United States of America,
France, the Federal Republic of Germany and the
United Kingdom.
The United Nations also played a decisive role in
the settlement of that matter. The tireless efforts of
Secretaries-General Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon and
their representatives within the Mixed Commission
deserve our gratitude.
Thus dawned a new era in relations between
Cameroon and Nigeria, geared towards the quest for
progress and development to which our two peoples
aspire. It goes without saying that the two countries
must henceforth do everything possible to consolidate
the settlement and seize the opportunities offered to
them to develop their relations in all areas. In that
regard, I wish to reaffirm that Cameroon will respect
all its commitments.
The delay in the attainment of the Millennium
Development Goals must spur us to redouble our
efforts to carry out vigorous, joint and mutually
supportive actions in fighting against poverty and for
development.
The Government of Cameroon is resolutely
committed to that end. I wish to pay homage to our
population for the sacrifices they have made in that
respect, as well as to our bilateral and multilateral
partners for the multifaceted assistance they are
providing to us. That assistance is invaluable to us,
particularly in our efforts to promote better
management of public resources. Within that
framework we have launched a fierce fight against
dishonest managers, which we intend to pursue
ruthlessly.
Guided by a concern to improve the well-being of
our people, we reaffirm from this rostrum our
determination relentlessly to pursue our efforts to
achieve the Millennium Development Goals. To
perform that task successfully, we know that we can
count on the understanding and support of the United
Nations.