By Noela Ebob Bisong
The Secretary General (SG) of La Francophonie, Rwandan-born Louise Mushikiwabo says her organization is ready to help Cameroon find lasting solutions to the socio-political unrest in the North West and South West regions of the country. She was received in audience by the President head of state, Paul Biya on May 24, 2019, at the Unity Palace.
Louise Mushikiwabo and Biya in a chat which lasted for two hours, discussed on a number of issues, including the ongoing conflict in the North West and South West regions.
Shortly after the meeting, the SG told the press that “I wanted to make sure that I mark my term of office with a visit to this country…I wanted to meet HE President Biya whom I know from my previous functions as Minister of foreign affairs of Rwanda and I wanted to make sure that I offer even more collaboration from the organization that I lead for this country, both ongoing programmes in terms of education, youth, digital era, but also in terms of the processes linked to the politics and the security of this country”.
She continued that “It is also part of the mandate of ‘La Francophonie’ to accompany our member states in political processes, I wanted to offer that the organization that I lead is ready and happy to contribute in any way possible to the stability of this country and the continuity of the peace that this country enjoyed for many many years until recently”.
President Biya decorated the ‘La Fracophonie’ SG with grand officer of the National Order of Valour.
Prior to the visit at the Unity Palace, Louise Mushikiwabo visited the ministry of External Relations, where she was received in audience by Minister Lejeune Mbella Mbella. The meeting enabled them to discuss issues related to bilateral relations between Cameroon and Rwanda.
Before departing from Yaounde, Louise Mushikiwabo was treated to a state lunch offered by Prime Minister Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute on behalf of President Biya, in the course of which, they both discussed Cameroon and La Francophonie, and the SG reaffirmed her organisation’s desire to assist Cameroon regain and maintain its most cherished peace. She was also treated to some of Cameroon’s delicacies as well as music.
Louise Mushikiwabo before ascending the ‘La Fracophonie’ was Rwanda Minister of foreign affairs for nine years. She was elected as Secretary General of La Francophonie in October 2018, and it is her first visit to Cameroon since she took over the organization last January.