At the headquarters, festivities took on a distinct political tone, as the Secretary General used the occasion to call for greater support behind the national President Paul BIYA.
He was speaking as newly elected Speaker Hon. Théodore Datouo made one of his first high-profile appearances.
The event brought together the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Ngute, members of government, the Governor of the Centre Region, Naseri Paul Bea, representatives of ally political parties, members of the Political Bureau and Central Committee, Members of Parliament, staff of the General Secretariat, as well as militants and sympathisers. Like any major anniversary, the setting reflected the scale of the occasion. From a giant podium erected for the celebration, Jean Nkuété paid tribute to the National President, Paul Biya, describing him as a “messiah” and “beacon of peace.” He called on party members to remain vigilant and steadfast in their support for the Head of State. Central to his address was the need for the CPDM to secure a commanding majority in Parliament. He stressed that victory in the next legislative elections is critical to maintaining the party’s grip on the National Assembly, warning that failure to do so could hamper the implementation of development-oriented policies under the President’s current mandate.
On parliamentary leadership, the Secretary General congratulated Hon. Théodore Datouo on his election as Speaker, alongside Abdoulaye Aboubakary as President of the Senate. He also paid tribute to outgoing National Assembly Speaker Hon. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril and former Senate President Marcel Niat Njifenji for their years of service.
Beyond party matters, Nkuété highlighted upcoming international engagements, notably Cameroon’s hosting of the Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization and the anticipated visit of Pope Leo XVI. He described both as “diplomatic victories” and called for full mobilisation to give the country’s guests a warm welcome, showcasing Cameroon’s renowned hospitality. The celebration also featured a symbolic birthday tribute, with the Chorale de l’Unité performing a specially composed song in honour of the party’s 41st anniversary.
In a festive atmosphere, guests shared refreshments, exchanged pleasantries, and enjoyed live musical performances, rounding off an event that combined political messaging with celebration.
Jude Viban
