The President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul BIYA has reaffirmed his cardinal principle to maintain all channels of dialogue during crises to facilitate the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the world.
This was during a speech delivered at the National Necropolis of Boulouris on 15 August 2024 in a special ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the allied landings in Provence, France.
President Paul BIYA said Cameroon has always resorted to dialogue and concerted solutions and has made the peaceful resolution of disputes the key to its approach to preventing war and resolving conflicts.
The Head of State, invited by French President Emmanuel MACRON, lauded the chain of solidarity and fraternity showcased by African riflemen alongside the Allied forces that led to the victorious liberation of France during the Second World War.
President Paul BIYA’s message of hope paid tribute to the fallen heroes and surviving soldiers for their spirit of bravery, admirable willingness, and ultimate sacrifice, values that ought to be preserved and transferred to the next generation.
He noted that there would have been no Allied victory without contributions from other peoples. The struggle was a collective effort to defend the universal values and ideals of peace and justice.
President Paul BIYA highlighted that the ceremony allowed world leaders to rekindle and strengthen their collective responsibility for sustainable peace and liberty.
He also condemned the current trends of proxy wars, terrorism, and lack of trust among nations.
On his part, French President Emmanuel MACRON expressed his unwavering gratitude to the heroes of 15 August 1944. He said France will never forget the exemplary gesture and indefectible audacity of Africans.
He emphasised that all those who recognise themselves as French have a vocation to be together.
First Lady Chantal BIYA attended the ceremony with four other African Heads of State and Government. Faure Gnassingbé (Togo), Faustin-Archange Touadéra (Central African Republic), Azali Assoumani (Comoros), Brice Oligui Nguema (Gabon), and Aziz Akhannouch (Moroccan Head of Government) honoured the invitation.
President Emmanuel MACRON awarded the French Legion of Honour to six World War II veterans.
The event closed with a French Patrol over the Boulouris necropolis in Saint-Raphaël.
