By Doh James Sonkey
The President of the Republic of Cameroon H.E Paul Biya has officially handed over the leadership role of the CEMAC Heads of State Conference to the President of the Central African Republic H.E Faustin-Archange Touadera.
This was done last March 17 2023 as leaders of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) met in Yaounde for the 15th ordinary session of the Conference of Heads of State. The sub-regional conclave, organised at Unity Palace, was chaired by President Paul Biya of Cameroon.
Those present in the first face-to-face gathering since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic were: President Faustin-Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic; the transitional President of Chad General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno; President Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo; President Ali Bongo Ondimba of the Gabonese Republic; and President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea.
In his opening speech, President Paul Biya urged CEMAC authorities to focus on the implementation of the second-generation Regional Economic Programme, which is centred on a portfolio of 12 priority integrative projects aimed at fast-tracking physical and trade integration.
“We will also need to accelerate the release of the CEMAC biometric passport,” he added.
All these actions, he emphasised, will foster better intermeshing of Member States, increase movement of people and goods as well as improve the performance of the common market.
Professor Daniel Ona Ondo, the outgoing chairperson of the CEMAC commission presented the final communique during the closing phase of the session.
It was revealed that the CEMAC leaders endorsed reforms to: strengthen sub-regional integration; boost the economies of member States following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine; and reinforce security ties.
Other issues addressed include the fight against terrorism in the Lake Chad area by Boko Haram, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, trans-border crime, the socio-political crises in some countries, and the appointment of CEMAC officials.
Prior to this Ministers of the Economic Union of Central African States met last March 15, 2023 at the 39th ordinary session of the Ministers conference to prepare for the 15th ordinary session of Heads of State of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central African States.
The meeting chaired by Cameroon Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Alamine Ousmane Mey witnessed the meticulous examination of files of common interest tabled for the conference of CEMAC Heads of State and Government.
In a context marked by consequences of multiple crisis relating to a drastic fall in the prices of petroleum products, to COVID19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukranian on CEMAC economies, the conference of Ministers of the Economic Union of Central Africa brainstormed on the following themes: CEMAC reforms linked to community governance notably the state of the implementation of principle of rotation instituted at the level of the organs, institutions and specialized institutions following the Fort Lamy concensus, financing of the community by the Community Tax Integration and individual measures linked to the end of mandate of the first officials of the community institutions.