Russian Ambassador to Cameroon Nicolay RATSIBORINSKI discussed security issues with the President of the Republic His Excellency Paul BIYA at an audience granted him on Friday 16 January at Unity Palace.
Speaking to reporters at the audience that lasted over one hour, Nicolay RATSIBORINKI said that the discussions were very useful as they made an overview of all the main issues of concern to the international community. He said Yaoundé and Moscow are eager to see the UN play an important role in seeking solutions to most of the on-going conflicts, solutions that must take into account the sovereignty of the concerned nations.
Amongst the disturbing problems cited by the Russian Ambassador are the conflicts in the Ukraine, the wars in Syria and Iraq. Talking on the Boko Haram insurgency, Nicolay RATSIBORINSKI said that the barbaric incursions of the sect into Cameroon are an example of international terrorism.
The Russian Ambassador expressed the opinion that only a long term solution can finally put an end to such attacks, including military, economic and social actions. He made it clear that Russia was disposed to partner with Cameroon in the military domain, such as securing the borders and building economic infrastructure, especially in the Far North Region.
Nicolay RATSIBORINKI announced that Cameroon will benefit in the months ahead from an important shipment of humanitarian assistance and material for civil protection that will mainly be geared to help refugees. Military assistance will probably come by the end of the year. This will mostly be in the form of very sophisticated military equipment, the lastest version of heavy artillery, including missiles, aerial protection equipment, anti-aircraft missile systems, canons, armoured vehicles, and several other military equipment and armaments.
To ensure the proper use of all these military equipment, Russia will be hosting several young Cameroonians who will receive specialised military training, he said, given that the sophisticated military equipment needs proper training before they can be used.
