Cameroon, 2008

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.