Politics – During the evaluation Cameroon Tribune 2010 was published yesterday, there were roses on the legitimate way and Cameroon’s diplomacy has been managed and the many advances have been observed. Speaking at the State House yesterday, on behalf of the diplomatic community in Yaounde, Ambassador of Gabon and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Michel Mandougou literally started in Cameroon Tribune hyperbolic images of Cameroon’s diplomacy in the year under review.

And yes, it was a revolutionary year for Cameroon’s diplomacy and efforts were made very real, not just to get Cameroon known beyond his football exploits, but also apply a picture worthy of the tireless efforts of President of the Republic of Cameroon to a comfortable accommodation for all citizens and a destination prices for foreigners who want to come.

The effort to clean up the nation’s image, marred repeatedly by a number of now-infamous diaspora groups, began two years ago with a massive opening of embassies and appointment of ambassadors. In fact, President Biya’s numerous outings in 2010 were simply a prolongation of the momentum set by these massive investments in opening up, rehabilitating embassy buildings and making available the required human resources to energize the new-found posture.

The move has been so successful that in his state-of-the-nation address last December 31, President Biya paid tribute to the work of Cameroonian diplomats and the diaspora in giving the nation a cleaner image where ever they are found. ” I wish to pay tribute to our representations abroad and our Diaspora who portray our country as serious and dynamic”, he told the nation.

It is no gainsaying that the physical presence of the President in a number of world forums did not only provide an occasion for Cameroon’s voice to be heard, but also showed how pertinent some of the positions defended by our country could be and consequently help, in its own humble manner, in the advancement of the world.

From the U.N. General Assembly rostrum in New York in September, President Biya defended Cameroon’s position on a number of world issues, many of which are even a hot potato. Take the reduction of global poverty. On that occasion, the president laid special emphasis on the “duty of solidarity” of the international community with the disadvantaged countries. “As far as our continent is concerned, such solidarity could take the form of a Marshall Plan for Africa” the Head of State argued. By that suggestion, President Biya was not asking African countries to sleep on their laurels, suggesting, as Cameroon is already doing, that countries make their own efforts.

“That is what we have embarked on with the implementation of our ten-year Growth and Employment Strategy Paper” with efforts being directed mainly to agriculture, energy, water supply, mining and road and port infrastructure: areas that can help roll back poverty and reduce unemployment.”

In 2010, the President went beyond his traditional visit destinations, setting foot on the Latin American continent for the first time. In Africa, he visited Libya for the first time. Beyond, the ritualistic side of the Libya visit, the President used the occasion of the European Union – African Union summit there to make some important observations. There, he posited that relations between Europe and Africa must take into account specific problems of a developing country…. And resulting agreements must accommodate chances of developing into a modern economy. How else could an authentic African leader decry the injustices and imbalance involved in relations between Africa and the “old continent”; especially with the kind of ridiculous price tag they put on cash crop exports and raw materials?

These are just some courageous positions, which certainly gave voice louder and clearer diplomacy of Cameroon in 2010 and the President reminded the members of the diplomatic community yesterday at Yaounde State House.

Cooperation with NGOs hope Solidarity Campaign takes place from October to December 1912 in Ngog-Mapubi Regional Hospital.

To strengthen the cooperation ties between Cameroon and Israel in the field of health, the Embassy of Israel in Cameroon, in collaboration with NGOs in Cameroon, the hope of solidarity, and a parliamentary initiative, the Honorable John Calvin Libock from 10 to 12 December organized a campaign to free medical Mapubi Ngog district hospital in the Nyong and Kelle Division of the Central Region.

Before the campaign, Israel’s ambassador to Cameroon, Michael Arbel along side physicians from Hope Solidarity, held a press conference to launch the Israeli embassy in Yaounde on December 7, to shed light on campaign to free medical treatment, which targets more than 5000 people in rural areas.

Ambassador Michael Arbel said joining Hope Solidarity in carrying out a free medical consultation in Cameroon is another unique opportunity to enable everybody enjoy the right to healthcare which is a fundamental Human Right that many lack.

Besides government to government health assistance between Cameroon and Israel, the ambassador said the Israeli Embassy in Yaounde works on a people-to-people base by cooperating with credible NGOs such as Hope Solidarity to meet the health needs of the Cameroonian people. Although some FCFA 4.5 million has been disbursed from the Israeli government for the current medical campaign in Ngog-Mapubi, sources from Hope Solidarity indicate that other contributions by the Israeli government are quite enormous.

Dr Emmanuel Tatapong of Hope Solidarity said the Cameroon-based humanitarian NGO which was created in 2002 uses demystifying methods in handling patients; particularly those suffering from HIV or need surgical intervention. This is the third time Hope Solidarity is collaborating with the Israeli Embassy in Yaounde to solve some of the health problems of its compatriots.

During the current campaign, the NGO hopes to operate more than 100 patients with a hernia, lipomas, cysts, and screen more than 500 people with HIV, 500 vaccinated against meningitis, the person will receive 300 adonto-stomatological services, such as dental extractions, 300 people will receive ophthalmological consultations, while groups of women will receive lectures on the mobilization against HIV / AIDS.

“It was partnering with Cameroon to discourage the prohibited export of timber products from the African country” The European Union (EU) said. According to this statement obtained by the Pan African News Agency (PANA) on Friday in New York, the EU said that the partnership required all wood products exported to the EU from Cameroon to have a license showing the legal origin of timber and wood products.

The European commissioner for development”Mr. Andris Piebalgs”, said that the agreement was a positive step in the effort to control illegal logging of Timber product.

‘It will benefit the European consumers because they can be sure that when they buy wood from Cameroon, it is from a legal origin,’ he said in the statement.

‘This agreement is a major step forward in our fight against illegal logging and will contribute to economic development and poverty alleviation in Cameroon,’ Piebalgs added.

The EU also noted that illegal logging had a ‘devastating’ impact on forests across the world, adding that the development prompted the EU to develop a series of measures in 2003 that spelt out appropriate trade activity in forest products.

Cameroon is a main timber exporter in the Congo Basin. It exports near about 80 percent of its timber product to the European economic zone.

The Pan African youth civil society organization, African Youth Forum For Peace (AYFP), was officially launched at the Yaounde, Djeuga Palace Hotel on 1 December 2008.

The organization whose pioneer president is Cameroonian born, Ngalim Eugene Nyuydine saw the light of day in the presence of eminent personalities such as the acting representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to Cameroon, Dr Fanidji, the chairman of the Economic, Cultural and Social Council of the African Union (ECOSOCC), Barrister Akere Muna, among others.

The African Youth Forum For Peace pioneer president said the organization is the outcome of the efforts of the United Nations and the Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW) in mobilizing the African youths around the themes of the millennium development Goals through various Pan-African Youth Leadership Summits. The organization, he said, is a response to the numerous conflicts plaguing the continent of Africa. During the first Pan-African Youth Leadership Summit held in Dakar-Senegal from é7 to 30 June 2004, the Cameroon Youths and Students Forum for Peace (CAMYOSFOP) under the leadership of Ngalim Eugene pioneered the creation of the African Youth Forum for Peace with youth leaders from the Central African Republic, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.

The launching of AYFP was therefore the concrete realization of the dreams of the African youth leaders. Statements from eminent personalities during the occasion tied with the objectives of the organization. Professor Verkijika Fanso, lecturer at the University of Yaounde I, talked on the importance of peaceful conflict resolution in armed conflict situations: the case of Cameroon and Nigeria over the Bakassi Peninsular. The acting representative of UNFPA in Cameroon, Dr Fanidji talked on the African Youth Charter, National Youth Polices and National Youth Councils as instruments for youth participation in peace-building. Barrister Akere Muna presented a reflection on the role of the African youth in peace-building the speakers cited the deplorable situation in armed conflict ridden countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Darfur in Sudan.

AYFP whose executive committee was presented at the launching ceremony, seeks to mobilize and coordinate youth initiatives on peace and future of Africa; promote the vision and goals of the African Union; provide training on leadership, conflict prevention, management and resolution; play major roles in addressing and managing conflicts in Africa.

H.E. Xue Jinwei, paid a maiden visit to the Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paeditric Hospital yesterday.

It was an exceptional day at the Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital in the Ngousso neighbourhood yesterday. The Chinese ambassador to Cameroon, H.E. Xue Jinwei, paid a maiden visit to the health facility. The visit was as a result of fruitful cooperation that exists between Cameroon and China. H.E. Xue Jinwei, met the different departments notably the maternity ward, reanimation ward, Chinese pharmacy, x-ray among others and also the personnel. Traditional dance groups from the country could be seen in some corners in the hospital premises to welcome the august guest.

Speaking during the occasion, the Director General of the YGOPH, Professor Doh Anderson Sama said the hospital is classified among the referral hospitals in Cameroon and the sub region thanks to contributions from China, especially in the domains of research, human relations and equipment. He also hailed the government for its support in the functioning of the hospital. Professor Doh Anderson Sama used the opportunity to present to the ambassador the needs of the hospital for the 2010 in terms of acquisition of new materials. He said the visit was also to make the ambassador see the hospital and appreciate better the situation.

For his part, the Chinese ambassador called on the personnel to work hard to ensure quality heath care in the hospital. He said health is an important factor in the relations between Cameroon and China. He said China is a faithful friend of Cameroon and that his country will continue to support cooperation between China and Cameroon especially in the domain of health.

Farmer associations in Yaounde received FCFA 20 million of the package Last Thursday.

The government of Cameroon, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has disbursed FCFA 116 million to assist locally-based youths involved in agricultural activities in the country. The money is geared towards improving on the working conditions of the young farmers, acquisition of farm inputs as well as the promotion of small mechanisation.

Speaking during the launching of the distribution of the government assistance in Yaounde last Thursday April 8, 2010, during which 20 farmer organisations in the Centre bagged FCFA 1 million each, the Secretary General in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Eko’o Akouafane Jean Claude, said the money is part of government’s support to projects that can create employment to fight poverty and boost economic development. The money was distributed within the framework of a project piloted by the Ministry code-named, “Support Programme for the settlement of young farmers (PAIJA). Through the programme, government selects, supports, supervises and follows up youths involved in agro-pastoral activities in their areas. According to the national coordinator of the project, Nkoulou Martial, the beneficiaries went through thorough screening before being selected and rigour would be employed to ensure that the purpose for which the funds are disbursed is attained. So far, pilot centres have been created in the South, Adamawa, South West and Centre Regions.

Some of the beneficiaries described the gesture as a new dawn for them and their associations promising to do all to ensure that the money boosts their activities so that they can live and let others live.

"The hostage-takers made a request of ransom for 15,000 dollars," the source close to the matter told AFP. "The Chinese are prepared to pay the sum but the Cameroonian authorities do not agree."

A confirmation could not be obtained from Chinese officials. on Sunday.

The hostages were working for a private Chinese fishing company when they were kidnapped early Friday in international waters off Bakassi, according to the Cameroonian source and the Chinese embassy, quoted by Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

The previously unknown group of kidnappers calls itself the Africa Marine Commando, the Cameroonian source said.

The resource-rich Bakassi peninsula has been at the centre of a territorial dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon for 15 years. It was handed back to Cameroon in August 2008 after the International Court of Justice ruled in Cameroon's favour.

The marshy coastal region, potentially rich in oil and gas, has recently witnessed a spike in rebel attacks. Ten oil sector workers including seven French were kidnapped there in late 2008 by a group calling itself the Bakassi Freedom Fighters.