Fellow Cameroonians,
My dear compatriots,
The seven-year term that has just begun should be
decisive for our country. It could even be one of the most defining moments of
our post-independence history.
Let me explain.
During the past half-century that has just ended, we
progressively established democratic institutions. We strove to maintain
security throughout our territory. We made every effort to switch from an
obsolete economic model to a more modern system that is more consistent with
our national interest.
Of course, this was a long haul. Some objectives, such
as the establishment of democracy, were achieved. Those related to security
were only partly achieved, due to serious internal and external threats.
Lastly, others, the most ambitious ones which aimed to transform our society,
were implemented patiently.
Unforeseen difficulties compounded our task. In the
1980s, the sharp deterioration of terms of trade jeopardized our progress. Ten
years later, the global economic and financial crisis put a stop to our
momentum and slowed down our growth. More recently, falling oil and commodity
prices had the same impact.
However, we did not give up. In the face of adversity,
we designed a three-phase development strategy: greater achievements, major
accomplishments and great opportunities. We hope that this last phase will
steer us to the threshold of emergence.
It is perhaps not futile to clarify what we mean by
emergence. Generally, the term refers to an improvement in a situation. As
commonly understood, it means the transition from an underdeveloped to a
developed country. This is our meaning of the term and that is why I instructed
that it should be considered as a “national cause”.
I believe that the coming years will be decisive
regarding the achievement of this objective. To that end, we will have to get
down to three key tasks, namely restore security, enhance our economic growth
and significantly improve the living conditions of Cameroonians.
Considering that SECURITY is a sine qua non for civil
peace and economic and social progress, it should be prioritized.
Given that the situation in the Far-North has been
stabilized and on our eastern border brought under control, I will focus on the
situation in the North-West and South-West Regions.
Recently, I had the opportunity to express myself
regarding the issues concerning them. I stated and I reaffirm my deepest
concern for the populations of these two regions. I am very sensitive to their
worries about their safety and their aspirations for a return to calm and
normal social life.
If my appeal to warmongers to lay down their weapons
remains unheeded, the Defence and Security Forces will be instructed to
neutralize them. I am well aware of the distress these rebels are causing the
populations of these regions. This situation cannot be allowed to continue.
In a spirit of national harmony, I decided to set up a
“National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Committee” to avoid the
use of extreme measures. The duties of this body, which is under the authority
of the Prime Minister, are to organize, supervise and manage the disarmament,
demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants of Boko Haram and armed
groups in the North-West and South-West Regions willing to respond favourably to
the hand of peace extended to them.
I wish to emphasize that this initiative provides a
dignified way out for ex-combatants and prospects for social reintegration, and
should pave the way for a return to calm and normalcy.
On the other hand, measures will be taken as soon as
possible to give the local communities of our country the powers that would
enable them to play a greater role in the management of local affairs. At the
same time, the promotion of bilingualism and multiculturalism will be fast-tracked.
Furthermore, I intend to continue the dialogue
initiated with people of good-will to bring about lasting peace.
Paradoxically, one of the effects of the unfortunate
events that have been affecting social life in the North-West and South-West
Regions for months now may surprise many of us. The populations of these two
regions have noticed the sincerity of the intentions of authorities concerning
the new powers delegated to local communities and the solidarity of the rest of
the Nation towards them. My wish is that, eventually, national unity will be
strengthened.
It will also be
necessary to accelerate the GROWTH RATE of our economy.
Earlier on, I mentioned the external factors that
slowed down our economic growth. Our economy is gradually recovering thanks to
the measures we have taken. However, we will have to redouble our efforts to
stay on the path of emergence.
Without going into details of our projects which I
talked about recently, I would like to simply recall that one of our priorities
should be the modernization of our agriculture by meeting its production and
diversification targets, and providing it with the required technical
resources. The broad outline of this “agricultural revolution” was defined at
the Ebolowa Agricultural Show and is still relevant.
The same is true for our major industrialization
project which should be implemented in line with the orientations of our Master
Plan. Its priority should be the processing of our agricultural commodities to
give them value added and reduce our imports of goods and services.
We will continue to provide our country with energy
infrastructure to meet the needs of our agro-industry and various industrial
sectors, as well as the demands of our people. In addition to hydroelectric
dams, solar energy plants will be constructed for rural electrification.
The remarkable efforts that have already been made to
develop our transport infrastructure (roads, motorways, ports and airports)
will be continued to boost our economy and ease the mobility of our
compatriots.
Furthermore, by concluding an economic and financial
arrangement with the International Monetary Fund in 2017 under the “Extended
Credit Facility”, we undertook to pursue the implementation of our structural
reforms, maintain our fiscal balance and ensure the sustainability of our
external debt.
It is against this backdrop that we will have to
finance our major projects. To that end, we will need to increasingly resort to
financial institutions that apply more accessible concessional lending rates.
It is inadmissible that our projects should take much more time to mature than
in countries of a comparable level of development. Maturation periods of time
should be reduced.
Some of our problems stem from the fact that the
structures of our economy make us to depend heavily on the external world, especially
the prices of our commodities. I have often said that we are in a position to
produce most of what we import, be it agricultural or industrial products. It
is absolutely necessary to take this into account. We have no choice in the
face of growing protectionism.
In the same vein, it is necessary for us to do more to
incorporate digital progress into the functioning of our public services and
our economy. The developing digital society will not wait for laggards.
Once our security is restored and our growth revived,
we have to give our democracy the SOCIAL DIMENSION it deserves.
Significant progress has already been made in that
connection over the past decades. More effort will be required to build a society that ensures
equal opportunity and decent living conditions for the entire population.
We will therefore continue to:
- extend a system of quality education at all levels by
focusing on professionalization;
- build more health centres, extend our network of
referral hospitals and finance our social security scheme;
- solve the nagging problem of low-cost housing;
- further improve access to drinking water and electricity,
including in rural areas;
- and, lastly, promote the role of women and youths in
our society.
In so doing, we will eventually roll back poverty which
is the source of the diverse exclusions still existing in our country.
A problem of particular concern to me is still to be
addressed. I am referring to unemployment, especially among youths. Naturally,
the government services responsible for addressing the issue will do what is
expected of them. However, it should be acknowledged that this social ill which
is affecting most countries on the planet is closely linked to the level of
economic activity, in other words growth.
That is why we will do all we can to encourage and
boost the growth rebound we are currently experiencing.
Fellow Cameroonians,
My dear compatriots,
That is the triple challenge we are facing. I have no
doubt that we will overcome it if we remain united, supportive and committed.
As you are aware, our country was poised to host the
great African football jamboree in 2019. Based on certain information, the
African Football Confederation decided that the date should be shifted. We have
taken note of the decision. As I have already said, all investments relating to
the organization of AFCON will be carried out. I avail myself of this
opportunity to urge you to remain mobilized to ensure the eventual construction
of our road, railway, hospital and sports infrastructure for this major event: our
country deserves it indeed.
My dear compatriots,
Believe me, in these difficult moments, I am devoting
all my energy and all my experience to ensuring peace, unity and progress in
our beloved and beautiful country.
I count on each and every one of you to help me in this
endeavor.
I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2019.
Long live the Republic!
Long live Cameroon!
Yaounde, 31 December 2018
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