RIYADH: The Cameroonian Embassy in Riyadh marked its country’s 53rd national day on Wednesday in a postponed event held under the theme “Army and nation united for a Cameroon turned toward peace and prosperity.”
Speaking at the evening occasion, Cameroon’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Iya Tidjani said: “The Embassy of Cameroon, my wife and I welcome you all to the Cultural Palace for celebration of the 53rd national day. Cameroon’s national day is celebrated every year on May 20, a date that since 1972 marks the reunification of West Cameroon and East Cameroon into a unitary state.
“Due to scheduling constraints, we were compelled to postpone the celebration here in Riyadh. We are pleased that you were able to include this important event in your program, and to join us in celebrating, with shared joy, the renewed unity of our country,” he added.
The ambassador thanked Riyadh Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf and Saudi officials for honoring the ceremony, adding: “This is undoubtedly a testament to the excellent cooperative relations that exist between the two countries.”
Tidjani hailed flourishing relations between his country and the Kingdom.
“Indeed, since 1966, the year diplomatic relations were established between the two countries, these relations have continued to deepen and diversify — politically, economically, in the security field and culturally— in the common interest of both nations,” he said.
“This positive development is the result of the unwavering and repeatedly reaffirmed will of Paul Biya, president of Cameroon, and King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.”
The ambassador highlighted the signing of a general cooperation agreement between his country and Saudi Arabia, ratified in 2023.
It serves as a concrete legal foundation on which relations can be further developed, he said.
“I am firmly convinced that this milestone will serve to further strengthen and expand our exchanges, particularly in the fields of investment, trade, mining, agriculture, tourism, sports and beyond,” Tidjani added.
“I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate to Saudi businessmen and to Saudi companies in both the public and private sectors that the Embassy of Cameroon in Riyadh, as well as the consulate general in Jeddah, remain fully at their disposal. We also stand prepared to facilitate and organize connections with their counterparts in Cameroon,” he said.
The ambassador praised Saudi Arabia for playing a major role in global politics, including through trade and finance, the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering solidarity and strengthening unity within the Ummah, as well as its efforts to promote peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond.
Saudi Arabia is a key partner of Cameroon, with both countries sharing similar perspectives on many major international issues, Tidjani said.
He praised the Kingdom for mobilizing the Saudi Fund for Development and a medical caravan in aid of Cameroon. The latter has been sent annually since 2000 to deliver vital medical care to the Cameroonian population.
Tidjani highlighted Cameroon’s upcoming presidential elections on Oct. 12. The country’s diaspora in the Kingdom can exercise their voting rights by attending polling stations, he said.
Three polling stations will open at the embassy in Riyadh and the consulate general in Jeddah on election day from 8 a.m to 6 p.m.
