President Biya on Friday, May 09, received in audience Jean Christophe Belliard, Director of African and Indian Affairs at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development.

Three main issues were of particular interest last Friday, May 09, when President Paul Biya received in audience, Jean Christophe Belliard, Director of African and Indian Affairs at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development. In a discussion described by the French official as dense, the two men focussed their attention on the situation in the Central African Republic, recent events in Nigeria, notably the upsurge of Boko Haram Islamist activists and bilateral relations between Cameroon and France.

The French emissary told pressmen shortly after the audience his country is especially grateful to Cameroon for the work it has been doing in C.A.R., notably by sending soldiers to that country, providing budgetary assistance and supporting the French forces "in transit." The consequences of the crises on Cameroon as a neighbouring country and the massive presence of refugees was one particular aspect handled in the audience. As far as the CAR is concerned, Belliard told reporters that the situation remains complicated even though things seem to stabilise notably in Bangui where a return to normalcy has been observed pending complete regularisation.

"The corridor between C.A.R and Cameroon has been opened permitting access to goods and human aid", he said, regretting however that difficulties still persist in the northern part of the country where the MISCA forces "continue to work hard in coordination with the French forces." Jean Christophe Belliard is of the opinion that it is necessary to reconstitute the State and organise elections in the war torn nation.

Without very much giving details, he said events in Nigeria, notably activities of Boko Haram which equally affect Cameroon were in the centre of their discussion. That said, the one-hour audience was occasion to revisit the excellent relations that continue to exist between the two countries. "Bilateral relations remain strong and confident. France has not forgotten the role played by the President and Cameroon in the liberalisation of French hostages in northern Nigeria", Belliard stated.

Cameroon, he said, is one country where the first C2D debt relief process was implemented. The country weighs much for France especially with its 20 million inhabitants that enable France to maintain regular trade with it. "French companies are particularly interested in Cameroon's potentials and all that is being developed here", the French official who was accompanied in the audience by French Ambassador to Cameroon, said.