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00:30Come over, Nash.
00:58Fellow Cameroonians, my dear compatriots, a few years ago, I stated that the current
01:14seven-year term would be decisive, in so far as it would enable our country to resolutely
01:25continue its march towards emergence. I did specify that this objective should be made
01:34a veritable national cause, especially through our collective commitment to restoring security,
01:46strengthening our economic growth, and significantly improving the living conditions of Cameroonians.
02:00In hindsight, the years that have gone by since then show that great strides have been
02:10made in each of these areas. Security, which is a prerequisite for economic and social
02:25progress, has been and remains our co-priority. Thanks to the combined action of our defence
02:37and police forces, the administrative authorities, and the populace, our country has remained
02:47stable despite a particularly troubled global context. Granted, some areas of our country
02:59continue to face cowardly attacks from terrorist groups and serious crime. However, I can assure
03:12you that all is being done to bring lasting peace across our territory. Crime in our urban
03:25areas and rural areas is being energetically combated by the forces of law and order,
03:34who I earnestly encourage. I am particularly pleased with the progress achieved in combating
03:48the Boko Haram terrorist group. The operations carried out in recent years by our armed forces
03:58in the far north region have severely curbed the destructive capacity of these terrorists,
04:08who are now reduced to attacking only innocent civilians. I have also noted that the reconstruction
04:22of the northwest and southwest regions is progressing despite the atrocities being
04:31committed by some armed gangs, which continue to target mainly the civilian population.
04:38It can never be overemphasized that the separatist cause championed by these
04:49palpably enlightened beings is doomed to failure. Cameroon will remain one and indivisible. Such
05:00is the wish of the overwhelming majority of our compatriots. This is the very essence of
05:08the mandate given to me and I will never fail to deliver it. My dear compatriots, you know my
05:18attachment to national unity, progress and peace. You are witnesses of the action the government has
05:29been taking for years under my leadership to bring an end to this security crisis that is
05:37undermining the development of these regions and plunging many families into mourning. I take this
05:48opportunity to remind the members of this armed band that the nation is still reaching out to them.
05:56I urge them once again to take up the offer of peace that has been made to them and to lay down
06:11their weapons. Hundreds of their comrades have already joined the disarmament demobilization
06:19and reintegration centers and have been trained in different trades for their easy social
06:26integration. The fate of the diehard warmongers is unenviable. They will be relentlessly tracked
06:37down and will inevitably answer for their crimes. My dear compatriots, the consolidation of our
06:47country's economic growth is now real. Cameroon is regularly praised by the relevant financial
06:58bodies for its resilience despite a particularly difficult international context. Indeed, in recent
07:12years, we have had our share of exogenous shocks. The war in Eastern Europe, the Middle East
07:24conflict, the gloomy capital and commodity markets, climate disruptions, inflationary
07:36pressures and oil price fluctuations have showed our growth prospects. Despite this particularly
07:50challenging global context, Cameroon's economy witnessed a renewed activity with an estimated
08:00growth rate of 3.8% in 2024, which is projected to reach 4.1% in 2025. Measures taken to limit
08:15speculative behavior and increase the supply of essential goods have helped to contain inflation
08:26at 5% this year, down from 7.4% in 2023. This trend is expected to continue in 2025 to stand
08:42at 4%. To reduce our trade balance deficit and ensure food sovereignty, the integrated
08:56agri-pastoral and fisheries import substitution plan, which I announced last year, is starting
09:07to yield tangible outcomes. During this year, 452 tons of seed and 12,800 tons of flour were
09:20produced. Also, going forward, our list of exported products includes industrial products,
09:31notably aluminium. This trend should accelerate in 2025, thanks to the reform of the National
09:46Investment Corporation, making this body a veritable strategic lever for promoting
09:54productive investments in Cameroon. Furthermore, government has kept up efforts to rehabilitate
10:05and structurally transform our economy by progressively operationalizing the economic
10:14zones. Several initiatives have been undertaken to this regard, including the Cribi Port Authorities
10:26Integrated Industrial Area, dedicated to the processing of commodities such as cocoa,
10:35and rubber. With regard to cocoa in particular, the Qualitative Excellence Promotion Policy
10:46implemented in recent years has resulted in exceptional price levels benefiting producers.
10:58Similarly, two economic zones specializing in wood processing are being set up in Edea and
11:08Betwa. Such is also the case of the Agro-Industrial Technology Hub at Ouassa-Baboute via Nkoteng,
11:22which will be devoted to the production and processes of cereals, tubers, milk and its
11:30by-products. The industrialization of our country is taking shape by the day. The opening of the
11:42largest tile production plant in Central Africa, in the locality of Bipaga in Egypt, with the
11:52creation of over 2,500 direct jobs, is further proof of such industrialization. The dynamism
12:08of the industrial sector is also evidenced by the commissioning of a sixth cement plant in
12:16Cameroon, resulting in lower cement prices. There is no doubt that this booming sector
12:27forms the cornerstone of our country's legitimate aspiration to economic emergence.
12:34There are also bright prospects for developing the rich potential of our mining sector. The
12:50mining of the Kribilobe, Bipindi, Grand Zambi and Balam Nabeba iron deposits is imminent. The
13:06same holds for the Minimakap bauxite, whose mining convention was signed last July. I am
13:17also convinced that the mastery of the marketing channels of our minerals will increase the volume
13:26of financial resources required to implement our development projects. My dear compatriots,
13:37my core concern since acceding to the helm of state has also been to improve the living
13:46conditions of Cameroonians. Under my leadership, substantial efforts have been made by public
13:59authorities to ensure that our people have satisfactory access to basic social services.
14:08The current high population growth of our country has definitely reduced the impact
14:17of these efforts due to ever-increasing demands. Accordingly, under my authority,
14:27government has always paid special attention to implementing projects that contribute towards
14:36making the daily lives of every citizen better. Such is notably the case for electric power
14:46supply, whose importance for the development of economic activities and the lives of households
14:54is beyond question. Power supply has improved significantly since the completion of the
15:05Lum Panga dam tow plant and the commissioning of the Nashtigal Dam this year. The volume of
15:19investment in this strategic sector is bound to increase as several hydroelectric and photovoltaic
15:29projects come to maturation. With regard to the rural areas in particular, phase 4 of the
15:40project to electrify 1,000 localities with solar energy will continue. The same holds for the
15:49construction of 360 solar power plants in administrative units that are yet to be
15:57electrified. The completion of this project and the interconnection of the southern and
16:07northern grids will ultimately reduce load shedding and narrow the energy gap between
16:15the southern and northern regions of our country. Drinking water supply is another major challenge
16:26that the government has taken up in recent years with commendable determination. The
16:36commissioning of the drinking water supply project for the city of Yaoundé has significantly
16:43improved coverage in this urban center. To further improve access, a campaign to connect 8,000
16:54households to the drinking water network has been initiated in the city. In the city of Douala,
17:02the rehabilitation extension of the Japoma waterworks is ongoing, while the engineering
17:13studies for the drinking water supply megaproject in the city have been completed. The upgrading
17:24of drinking water production facilities is ongoing in many secondary towns. Our ambition
17:33is to provide quality water in each of our localities to meet the expectations of our
17:41fellow citizens. At the same time, we will keep up our efforts to enhance health care delivery
17:53by upgrading hospital technical facilities and expanding the health map. The recently
18:03inaugurated Ngaoundé and Betwa regional hospitals are part of such efforts. To improve this sector's
18:15performance, I have ordered the recruitment of 9,944 health workers over the next five years.
18:28This special recruitment initiative will not only help to reduce unemployment among young
18:38sector graduates, but also significantly improve patient care. Also, dialogue between the government
18:52and trade unions is ongoing in a bid to address the aspirations and concerns of teachers.
19:04My dear compatriots, let me say a word about the road network. I am aware of your frustration
19:18about the deterioration of our urban and inter-urban roads. As you know, this situation
19:29significantly impacts economic activities and is often a major cause of traffic accidents. I can
19:41assure you that the current state of our road network does not reflect the efforts and sacrifices
19:50being made for its rehabilitation and expansion. The challenges in this sector are well known.
20:00Foremost among them is the availability of funding followed by the impact of rainfall. I do not lose
20:14sight of governance issues which undoubtedly call for firm and urgent measures. I will ensure that
20:23these issues are tackled. To address the situation, I have instructed the reorganization of the road
20:33fund with a view to enhancing its capacity to mobilize the funding required for road construction,
20:43rehabilitation and maintenance projects. Despite the weaknesses I have outlined, we must not
20:52overlook the significant effort made in this sector. During the year drawing to an end,
21:00446 kilometers of roads were paved nationwide and 228 kilometers were rehabilitated. Other road
21:20rehabilitation projects will be launched in 2025, including the Bekoko, Limbe, Edinau and
21:30the Mutengene-Buea sections. Following extensive negotiations with donors, several long-anticipated
21:41road projects are now set to begin. These include the Ngaundere-Garoua, the Aboloa-Acomde-Kribi and
21:52the Mora-Kuseri roads. Meanwhile, the construction of the urban sector of the Yaounde-Nsimale motorway
22:02has started and phase two of the Yaounde-Dwala motorway is making progress. Fellow Cameroonians,
22:18my dear compatriots, the implementation of the projects I have just mentioned and many others
22:28require substantial financial resources. The said resources, as we are all aware, are becoming
22:38increasingly scarce and challenging to mobilize due to the prevailing global situation and the
22:46constraints inherent in our economy. To achieve our set development goals, we must improve governance
22:56access across all sections of activity. The extraordinary summit of CEMAC member states,
23:07recently hosted by our country, underscored the pressing need to implement the requisite
23:15restructural reforms for fiscal consolidation within our sub-region. As in the past,
23:24Cameroon will spare no effort to achieve this objective. Improving governance also means
23:34stepping up the fight against corruption and misappropriation of public funds. This
23:42ensures legal protection for private investment and land tenure security where abuses have been
23:51noted. Let me assure you of one thing. Appropriate sanctions will be meted out on
24:03those found guilty of such offences. Fellow Cameroonians, a number of our compatriots lost
24:13their lives this year as a result of accidents, some of which could have been avoided. These
24:22include road accidents as well as the collapse of buildings constructed in violation of the
24:30regulations in force. The measures taken by public authorities to reduce the risk of accidents will
24:39be continued and intensified. Unfortunately, we also recorded many victims of natural disaster.
24:49The tragedy of the Tchankrif and the floods in the far north region are proof of the consequences
25:01of our increasing exposure to climate change. While it is true that such floods are, for the
25:13most part, difficult to predict, we must step up our efforts to prevent or reduce the ensuing
25:21damage. To this end, I have clearly directed the government to implement a specific plan to
25:31construct and rehabilitate critical flood protection infrastructure in this region.
25:38My dear compatriots, the year 2025 will usher in a new season of elections. According to the
25:51electoral calendar, the presidential and regional elections will be held this year. As in the past,
26:00these events will represent major milestones in the life of our nation. Let us take this
26:08opportunity to further strengthen our democracy. I call on all stakeholders to show proof of
26:16maturity and responsibility and to ensure that peace and stability prevail before,
26:25during and after these elections. I am fully aware that some of our compatriots continue
26:33to face challenges in enrolling on the electoral register due to lack of national identity cards.
26:42Many of them are burdened by issues of dual identity, a predicament for which they
26:53themselves are responsible. To address this situation, I have ordered that the requisite
27:01measures should be taken. Fellow Cameroonians, the year 2025 promises to be replete with
27:11challenges. However, there is not a shadow of a doubt in my mind that by remaining as
27:19united and cohesive as always, we will meet them. Yes, my dear compatriots, we will,
27:28as in the past, together turn these challenges into opportunities. Together,
27:36we will continue to move forward with determination in security and peace.
27:43I particularly appreciate the unwavering and massive support you have always given me over
27:52the years. It is this unwavering trust that has inspired my tireless effort to meet your
28:01aspirations. Your trust is both an honour and a compass for my actions in steering our beloved
28:10and beautiful country. I can assure you that my resolve to serve you remains steadfast and
28:19grows stronger by the day as we address the immense challenges facing us. Fellow Cameroonians,
28:27my dear compatriots, it is now time for me to extend to each and every one of you my best wishes
28:37for a happy and prosperous new year 2025. Long live the Republic, long live Cameroon.