External Relations Minister, Lejeune Mbella Mbella, on January 15, 2016 in the courtyard of the ministry, attributed the undeniable success of Cameroon’s diplomacy to the mobilisation, abnegation and professionalism of the diplomatic staff despite unpleasant working conditions. To that effect, he instructed the Secretary General and Director of General Administration to ensure that offices in the newly completed building be equipped for staff to occupy them, thereby putting an end to some phenomena such as crowded conference rooms. “I promise to spare no effort in improving on working conditions of personnel in the central and external services. The renovation, rehabilitation and equipping of diplomatic structures abroad will be pursued despite financial constraints,” the Minister pledged.

Acknowledging New Year wishes presented by the staff to him and his two Minister Delegates, Chief Joseph Dion Ngute and Adoum Gargoum, Minister Mbella Mbella announced that Cameroon had entered a new era of sustained diplomatic renaissance which is in line with the wishes of the Head of State. In 2015 particularly, highlights of intense diplomatic activity included visits to Cameroon by high-profile personalities and Statesmen as well as President Biya’s participation in international summits which all portrayed the strategic role of Cameroon in the conduct of international affairs.

A major highlight of the ceremony was the presence amongst special guests of five former Ministers of External Relations notably, William Aurelien Eteki Mboumoua, Felix Tonye Mbog, Jacques-Roger Booh Booh, Augustin Kontchou Kouomegni and François Xavier Ngoubeyou. To Minister Mbella Mbella, their presence was to enable young diplomats see them and benefit from their averred historical experience.

The gesture was considered by many as a response to one of the problems earlier decried in an administrative balance sheet speech by the Secretary General, Felix Mbayu, in which he blamed especially young diplomatic staff for unruly professional behavior such as late coming, delays in treatment of files, rumour mongering, backbiting and lack of team spirit. These, to him, did not augur well with established codes of conduct the diplomatic profession is known for.