Ties that bind

Courted and envied by many for its natural resources and other endowments, Cameroon continues to live the realities of meaningful interdependence. One of its ingredients is the sustenance of ties that bind for mutual dividends.
France, a European power that administered part of Cameroon as a United Nation’s mandated territory / trusteeship, with Britain taking charge of the territory West of the Mungo River, is one of those powers that will not undermine the importance of sustaining ties that yield the expected fruits.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to Cameroon, his first trip to an African country since the recent inauguration to serve a second term as President of a country that for long has been known as friend of Africa, speaks for itself, the rationale of consolidating friendly relations.
President Paul Biya whose knowledge of law and political science with a rare experience of leadership of a bilingual country for over 39 years is aware of the truth that the interdependence of sovereign states demands cooperation on equal basis and diversification of diplomatic and cooperation ties.
Challengers
At a time when despite its importance the Millennium Development Goals initiative launched by the United Nations General Assembly, in the year 2000, have been eclipsed by selfish politicking, socio-economic protectionist tendencies, senseless wars, and separatists agenda, it is important for peace-loving nations to continue to seek ways of giving fruitful globalization the meaning it deserves.
One of the fora through which France has during the post-independence era proven its focus on African countries is the holding of Summits in which leaders brainstorm and take important decisions concerning the political stability and development of their nations. It was in one of these summits held in Paris on 13 November 1973 that President George Pompidou of blessed memory, masterminded and declared the rationale of continuous cooperation between France and French speaking African countries. 
Through constant meetings and dialogue, he noted, crucial issues concerning cooperation and development, would be better understood and judiciously tackled. That Summit in effect, laid the foundation of an instrument for mutual consultations and cooperation which other French leaders have since continued to respect and work with their African counterparts in the interest of citizens, despite challenges that emerge.
Considering that the Paris November 1973 Summit was held just after the Arab – Israeli war in which over 10,000 people had lost their lives, participants harped on the importance of peace in cooperation and development. It is this need for peace that has kept leaders, governments and non-governmental organisations working together to avert what retards and even stalls efforts for change.

Sustenance
President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Cameroon after President Paul Biya in Paris had frankly declared that he was a beggar for peace shows the importance of peace in cooperation and development. It also proves how concerned the Cameroon leader is for the peace that is direly needed in the Northwest and Southwest Regions, the Far North and the East Region where influx of refugees from the Central Africa affects the lives of citizens in various ways.
Regrettably...