Militants of the CPDM met in Hotel Roma Scout Center last 6 November 2022 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Paul Biya’s accession to power.
Celebrations were organised after consultations with the executive of the Subsections and collaboration with both the Cameroon embassies in Rome and the Vatican. The gathering was used to reflect on the achievements of Paul Biya under the New Deal government while as frontline supporters, projecting into the future and proposing ways of overcoming challenges faced by the nation. It was a time to discuss the responsibilities and contributions of every Cameroonian towards the emergence vision.
Speaker after speaker highlighted the importance of remaining committed and steadfast behind the Head of State in his pursuit of nation building. Frederick Ndang Nchaw, the Section’s Secretary presented a discourse on the spirit of the New Deal, its principles and values while Sandrine Ottou Vice President highlighted achievements in four decades. The sectors hinged on included education, sport, health, agriculture, transport infrastructure and diplomacy amongst others.
According to Eric Serge Tonga, Section President, longevity in power is not given to just anyone. In his address during the anniversary celebration, the Section President said “the faithful and authentic disciples that we are of the New Deal, should not be ashamed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Paul Biya’s stay at the Supreme Magistracy because he has not failed to live up to the oath he took on November 6, 1982, but rather, he has shown himself to be equal to the exhilarating mission of leading the Cameroonian people by taking up all the challenges encountered throughout these forty years littered with achievements, undeniable successes, serious crises but also obvious failures; perfection is not of this world”. Describing Cameroon as a country with a unique political history, a rich and united social fabric, a varied and envied culture, a progressing democracy and the reassuring parameters of the national economy, the Section President said the balance sheet was eloquent. While noting that the National President’s actions had reassured them in the past and that he was still a force to reckon with reiterated their commitment to him, adding “we also promise him to work with militancy and dedication for an “exemplary CPDM in the Diaspora through the promotion of the image of our country as a whole”.
Claudette CHIN
