Fellow Cameroonians,
My Dear Compatriots,
A few years ago, I stated that the current seven-year term would be decisive, insofar as it would enable our country to resolutely continue its march towards emergence.
I did specify that this objective should be made a veritable “national cause”, especially through our collective commitment to restoring security, strengthening our economic growth and significantly improving the living conditions of Cameroonians.
In hindsight, the years that have gone by since then, show that great strides have been made in each of these areas.
Security, which is a prerequisite for economic and social progress, has been and remains our core priority.
Thanks to the combined action of our defence and police forces, the administrative authorities and the populace, our country has remained stable, despite a particularly troubled global context.
Granted, some areas of our country continue to face cowardly attacks from terrorist groups and serious crime. However, I can assure you that all is being done to bring lasting peace across our territory.
Crime in our urban centres and rural areas is being energetically combated by the forces of law and order, who I earnestly encourage.
I am particularly pleased with the progress achieved in combating the Boko Haram terrorist group. The operations carried out in recent years by our armed forces in the Far-North Region have severely curbed the destructive capacity of these terrorists, who are now reduced to attacking only innocent civilians.
I have also noted that the reconstruction of the North-West and South-West Regions is progressing, despite the atrocities being committed by some armed gangs, which continue to target mainly the civilian population.
It can never be overemphasized that the separatist cause championed by these purportedly enlightened beings is doomed to failure. Cameroon will remain one and indivisible. Such is the wish of the overwhelming majority of our compatriots. This is the very essence of the mandate given to me. And I will never fail to deliver on it.
My Dear Compatriots,
You know my attachment to National Unity, Progress and Peace. You are witnesses to the actions the Government has been taking for years, under my leadership, to bring an end to this security crisis that is undermining the development of these regions and plunging many families into mourning.
I take this opportunity to remind the members of these armed bands that the Nation is still reaching out to them.
I urge them, once again, to take up the offer of peace that has been made to them and to lay down their weapons. Hundreds of their comrades have already joined the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Centres, and have been trained in different trades, for their easy social integration. The fate of the diehard warmongers is unenviable. They will be relentlessly tracked down and will inevitably answer for their crimes.
My Dear Compatriots,
The consolidation of our country’s economic growth is now real. Cameroon is regularly praised by the relevant financial bodies for its resilience, despite a particularly difficult international context.
Indeed, in recent years, we have had our share of exogenous shocks.
The war in Eastern Europe, the Middle East conflicts, the gloomy capital and commodity markets, climate disruptions, inflationary pressures and oil price fluctuations have slowed our growth prospects.
Despite this particularly challenging global context, Cameroon’s economy witnessed renewed activity, with an estimated growth rate of 3.8% in 2024, which is projected to reach 4.1% in 2025.
Measures taken to limit speculative behaviour and increase the supply of essential goods have helped to contain inflation at 5% this year, down from 7.4% in 2023.
This trend is expected to continue in 2025, to stand at 4%.
MKPD>> 04 Jan 2024